How to create and pass Resolutions in Cities and States
(A Few Examples and some Tips)
CITY OF __________________________________________RESOLUTION
In Support of Federal Legislation - (HR 676) The United States National Health Insurance Act ("Expanded and Improved Medicare for All")
WHEREAS, every person in Missouri and in the United States deserves access to affordable, quality health care; and
WHEREAS, the crisis in health care in the United States of America includes rising health care costs, increased insurance costs, and out-of-pocket medical expenses; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. poverty rate is increasing, as employee layoffs and outsourcing of the workforce is increasing; and
WHEREAS, approximately 635,000-707,000 Missourians lacked health insurance in 2005; and
WHEREAS, those insured now often experience burdensome medical debt and sometimes life-threatening delays in obtaining health care; and
WHEREAS, one-half of personal bankruptcies are due to illnesses or medical bills; and
WHEREAS, the termination of Medicaid in 2008 and the rising cost of insuring state employees and teachers can best be met not by limiting benefits, but by expanding them under a national, publicly-funded health insurance program; and
WHEREAS, the complex bureaucracy arising from our system of fragmented, for-profit, multi-payer system of health care financing consumes approximately thirty percent (30%) of United States health care spending; and
WHEREAS, independent research by Kenneth E. Thorpe, PhD found in 2003 that if Missouri adopted a single payer, universal health program with benefits more generous than 75 percent of all private insurance benefits in the state, Missouri health care spending would decline by $1.3 billion savings in administrative costs under a streamlined administrative structure; and
WHEREAS, rationing health care according to ability to pay has diminished the overall health of our citizens to the point at which the United States ranks shamefully low at thirty-sixth in quality by the World Health Organization; and
WHEREAS, United States Representative John Conyers has introduced H.R. 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act, in the United States House of Representatives for the 109th Congress, and this act would provide a universal, comprehensive, single-payer system of high quality national health insurance;
NOW, THEREFORE,
Be it resolved by that ______________________________________ (city,state) endorses Congressman Conyers' legislation, HR 676, "Expanded and Improved Medicare for All", and will work to educate our community on the importance of this legislation and that, copies of this resolution be sent to our two Senators in the U.S. Senate and members of the House of Representatives.
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF A COMPREHENSIVE, SINGLE STANDARD NATIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
Whereas, the impact of the cost of healthcare on the City of Ithaca’s taxpayers has been considerable and has continued to increase exponentially as is shown by the fact that in the year 2001 the city’s cost of healthcare was $3,681,304 and $5,844,000 in the year 2005, and Whereas, the percentages of the healthcare costs in relationship to the entire city of Ithaca budget for the last five years have been the following:
2001 9.19%
2002 10.82%
2003 12.48%
2004 11.65%
2005 12.01%
Whereas, enormous and rising profits of insurance companies, HMOs >and pharmaceutical companies have resulted in limiting and virtually >denying healthcare to as many as 100 million people in the United States; and >
Whereas, the existence of thousands of public and private insurance >payers has resulted in an unruly bureaucratic system and in confusion >throughout every aspect of insurance coverage from patients to practitioners; and >
Whereas, healthcare for all is a basic right under the UN >Declaration of Human Rights and is a mandate under the U.S. >Constitutional call to provide for life, liberty and the pursuit of >happiness; and > Whereas, solutions that are often discussed other than a single >payer solution imply limitations, high deductibles and the reduction >of health services especially for the poor, the sick and elderly; and > Whereas, statistics show that the greatest barrier to health is >poverty and that inequalities in healthcare diminish not only >well-being but also everyone's ability to work and prosper; and > Whereas, Congressman John Conyers has introduced H.R. 676, the >United States Nation Health Insurance Act, also known as the >Expanded and Improved Medicare For All Act; and > Whereas, H.R. 676 would cover every person in the U.S. for all >necessary medical care including prescription drugs; hospital, >surgical, outpatient services; primary and preventive care; >emergency services; dental and mental health; physical therapy; >vision care and long term care among others, without deductibles; and > Whereas, a national movement is growing in support of a national >single payer system, and, as a result, the number of members of >Congress endorsing this bill has tripled in the past year; now, >therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Ithaca >endorse H.R. 676, The United States National Health Insurance Act, >and call on the Congress of the United States to pass this bill and begin its implementation swiftly in order to reduce the suffering >and dying in our city, our state and our nation.
Resolved, that copies of this resolution be sent to Senators Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer, to Legislators Barbara Lifton and George Winner and to Congressman Maurice Hinchey.
FROM St. Louis: Some Tips on Passing City Resolutions:
The Core Group. The core group of citizens agrees on a model resolution for its city (county or state) to endorse HR 676. See examples below. The city resolution may include national, state and local health care statistics and is to be sent to federal elected officials from the state. The core group explains its purpose and value to neighbors and others in the city to build interest and enthusiasm and to increase the size of the group. Be sure to build your core group as a broad and diverse cross-section of the people in your city.
The Democratic Process. The citizens contact their elected alderpersons, city councilpersons, and their mayor to discuss the purpose and value of the resolution. This may be done in a personal visit, by phone, mail or email. Communicating and building a working relationship with elected officials is an important process. The citizens engage the officials and ask for their help in passing the resolution. Citizens give them a copy of the sample city resolution, copies of HR 676 text and summary, fact sheets, and other information in support of it. Although the resolution is non-binding, some elected officials may oppose it. These persons may need more information or persuasion. Some may have ties to insurance companies. Be polite. In the next election, vote for a better candidate, or be one.
The City Council Meeting. A large group of citizens must attend the city council meeting to discuss the resolution. Some can speak to the issue using brief prepared statements representing a point of view or speak in behalf of supporting organizations or labor unions. Those not speaking can stand up in support. The local media may interview members of the group about the resolution. The city is sensitive to public relations. Remain friendly and non-confrontational. The city council may not vote on the resolution at the first or second meeting. Continue communications with council members and listen carefully. If they have reservations, bring these to the core group to be addressed. Have larger numbers of supporters at each meeting. The resolution will ultimately pass if the citizens’ group remains cohesive and forward thinking.
The Happy Ending. When the resolution passes in your city, citizens thank the mayor and council and hold a press conference at city hall. The City Resolution is mailed to federal elected officials urging them to pass national, universal single payer health care, HR 676, “Expanded and Improved Medicare for All.” Send a copy to Health Care Now for its archives.
-Thanks to: Mimi Signor, RN; Missourians for Single Payer, St. Louis
Find out how to request an endorsement and check out the list of labor unions that have endorsed HR 676. Read the most recent city resolutions:
United Auto Workers Resolution, 6/06, Convention Las Vegas, NV
Ohio AFL-CIO resolution 7/19/06 Convention Cincinati, OH
Wilmington, DE resolution passed
Resolution-Ithaca, NY-passed 6/7/06
Hollywood, CA 2/10/06
Resolution by the Kentucky State AFL-CIO Convention, 10/005
Louisville, Kentucky, 12/7/06, See Below
Bloomington, IN, 12/6/06, See Below
Below are examples of appeals and resolutions for you to download and use in your own city and state.
to urge Congress to Pass H.R. 676 for a national single payer healthcare system
Louisville Metro Council members and members of Kentuckians for Single Payer Healthcare (KSPH) were all smiles on October 12 after the council voted, 14 to 9 with 1 abstention and 1 voting present, to urge Congress to pass HR 676, Congressman John Conyers' national single payer health plan. L to R: Councilman Dan Johnson, Harriette Seiler, Mark McKinley, Kristin Munro Leighton, Councilwoman Vicki Welch, Kay Tillow, Councilwoman Mary Woolridge (sponsor of the resolution), and Joan Dubay (coordinator of the KSPH Committee that organized for the resolution).
On the left is District 3 Councilwoman Mary Woolridge, sponsor of the Louisville Metro Council Resolution in support of HR 676, Congressman John Conyers' national single payer health act that would assure health care for all. On the right is Joan Dubay, Coordinator of the Metro Council Committee of Kentuckians for Single Payer Health Care. The photo was taken on Oct. 12, 2006, shortly after the council voted in favor of the resolution, 14 to 9 with 1 abstention and 1 voting present. Kentuckians for Single Payer Healthcare www.KYhealthcare.org, Kay Tillow (502) 636 1551
Bloomington, Indiana, endorses HR 676
On December 6, 2006, the Bloomington Common Council passed a resolution stating:
"The Council supports and endorses HR 676 the United States National
Health Insurance Act and respectfully requests our elected federal officials to endorse and adopt HR 676."
It was signed by Mayor Mark Kruzan on December 7.
The full resolution is available from nursenpo@aol.com
Expanded and Improved Medicare for All (Download Word document)
To the Mayor and City Council of University City, Missouri: Honorable Mayor Adams and Honorable Alderpersons: Thank you for the opportunity to address the City Council on the critical issue of the health of the citizens of our community, our state, and our country.
The United States Supreme Court ruled that health care is a business, which profits by rationing. Health care is rationed according to ability to pay. We have the most expensive care in the world, yet we rank thirty-seventh in quality. We fail our people by every public health indicator. Our nation's high infant mortality rates and maternal mortality rates continue to rise. Women are 70 percent more likely to die in childbirth in America than in Europe. We have the worst child immunization rate in the Western Hemisphere with the exception of Haiti.
Missouri ranks in the bottom one-third of our nation in health care. 41.2 percent of health care spending in Missouri goes to hospital care, the most expensive care. Missouri Medicaid, a program for the poor and disabled, ends May 1, 2008. St. Louis City and St. Louis County have decreased financial commitments to public health.
H.R. 676, "Expanded and Improved Medicare for All", the national universal single payer health program, makes health care a right for all citizens; it establishes affordable, quality health care without waiting lists; employees would be free to change jobs or start businesses; American businesses would be able to compete equally; it increases preventive care, thereby reducing expensive emergency care and hospitalizations; it would save lives and enhance the quality of life. I ask that our City pass a resolution to endorse H.R 676 as our commitment to work for its passage.
H.R. 676, sponsored by Congressman John Conyers, has sixty-nine cosponsors, including the Honorable U. S. Representative Lacy Clay, of St. Louis. H.R. 676 is endorsed by: The St. Louis Labor Council; the St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO; Southeast Missouri Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO; Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 and Communication Workers of America Local 6355 (Missouri State Workers Union).
University City Citizens for H.R. 676, universal, single payer health care.
Appeal to endorse HR 676: Expanded and Improved Medicare for All
(Download Word document)
"Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane." Martin Luther King Jr.
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