HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2019-032 Resolution Endorsing HR 1384 - Improved Medicare For All (2) RES - 2019 -032
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION ENDORSING HR 1384 - IMPROVED MEDICARE FOR ALL
WHEREAS , studies show that universal healthcare will not be achievable without serious downward pressure on
out- of- control healthcare costs in the US ; and
WHEREAS , the US has the highest costs in the world , spending on average double per capita what most other
countries spend per capita, even as 12 . 5 % of adults had no health insurance at all in the first half of 2018 , which is
worse than 2013 and is expected to rise as premiums increase without checks ; and
WHEREAS , according to the CDC , only 8 . 5 million people got plans from healthcare . gov for 2019 ; and
WHEREAS , out- of- pocket costs for individuals with insurance is forcing them to delay care at extraordinary rates ,
noting that more than half of 18 -44 year olds did not get care in the 12 months preceding February 2018 ; and
WHEREAS , 45 % of adults age 19 - 64 are now underinsured , many of whom are on employer- based private
insurance plans ; and
WHEREAS , the cost of health insurance continues to rise while workers ' wages and benefits continue to stagnate
and fall ; and
WHEREAS , nearly 60 % of for-profit insurance revenue of Cigna, Anthem , Humana, Aetna, and United Healthcare
is now coming from Medicare and Medicaid ; and
WHEREAS , public dollars are used to subsidize private insurance companies , with ACA subsidies and more and
more Medicaid and Medicare being taken over by private for- profit companies , who then deny care ; and
WHEREAS , these high costs and meager coverages do not contribute to higher health outcomes with the US
ranking lowest in the world when compared to similar countries and people are dying at increasing rates ; and
WHEREAS , the establishment of a Medicare for All single payer system in the United States will free millions of
workers who are currently dependent on their employers for health insurance , with workers not only having greater
security in access to care for themselves and their families , but also greater flexibility to change jobs and professions
or start their own business to suit their unique skill sets ( 19 % of people age 50 - 64 say they are staying in current jobs
rather than change or retire because of health insurance needs , even as many young people out of college are unable
to occupy these jobs) ; and
WHEREAS , over 1 , 000 national , regional and local unions , state labor federations and central labor councils have
endorsed Medicare for All and organizations like the National Nurses United , the Labor Campaign for Single - Payer
and Physicians for a National Health Program have made single- payer a priority in their work such that the campaign
represents a major opportunity to build relationships with and forge solidarity with the leading edge of the labor
movement ; and
WHEREAS , abolishing the health insurance industry will require an unprecedented level of mobilization and
organization ;
NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that the Board of Commissioners of Orange County, North Carolina does
hereby endorse HR 1384 , which adheres to the requirements below :
• A single program - not a patchwork of multi - payer state and federal systems .
• Comprehensive coverage - all medically necessary services requiring a medical professional will be
covered .
• Free at the point of service - no more shifting costs onto the sick : no premiums , no copays , no deductibles ,
no coinsurance .
• Universal coverage - coverage for all U . S . residents .
• Jobs - replacement and severance for those affected by the transition .
This the 41h day of June 2019 .
4A M M 2� ;7t
Pen y Rich , C a
Orange County Board of Commissioners