NEW ENDORSEMENTS (Scroll through this Page.  You will Be Amazed!)

Republican Controlled County Legislature Strongly Endorses HR 676

Troy, NY.   The solidly Republican Rensselaer County Legislature has passed a resolution in support of HR 676 and called on … federal legislators to work towards its enactment within the current Congress. The county resolution was introduced by two Republicans and a Democrat. HR 676, sponsored by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI), would implement a national single payer health program covering everyone for all medically necessary care.

The 19 member Rensselaer County Legislature is the first Republican controlled body to endorse HR 676.  The vote on Resolution P390 07, which came at the regular July 11, 2007, meeting, was 14-3.  All Democrats voted for the measure, but Democrats hold less than a third of the seats in the county legislature.  Joseph Bruno, longtime majority leader of the Republican controlled New York State Senate, is a resident of Rensselaer County.

Mike Keenan, President of the Troy Central Labor Council which endorsed HR 676 last year, was one of several community activists who spoke in favor of the endorsement in time allowed for citizen input prior to the meeting.

The County Clerk was instructed to forward copies of the resolution to Senators Clinton and Schumer and to members of the U.S. House, Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Michael McNulty.  Currently only McNulty supports HR 676.  It is not known if any of the other three has responded.

National Education Association Endorses HR 676

March 26, 2007

Dear Representative Conyers:

On behalf of the National Education Association's (NEA) 3.2 million members, we would like to express our support for the United States National Health Insurance Act (H.R. 676).

As you know, the number of uninsured Americans has grown significantly in recent years.  Of those lacking health care many are near or below the poverty line, with a disproportionate share of lower-income families, African Americans, Latinos, and other racial and ethnic minorities more likely to experience harmful consequences due to a lack of access to health care. More  

March 27, 2007

ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS CONTINUE TO ENDORSE HR 676

City, county, and state legislative bodies, and community organizations are taking action on the health care crisis by supporting HR 676, single payer legislation in the U.S. Congress.

In Gainesville, Florida, the Alachua County Board of Commissioners urged the U.S. Congress to… "adopt the National Health Insurance Act" and authorized and "directed the County's federal legislative lobbyist to work to support HR 676."

In Camden, New Jersey, the poorest city of its size in U.S., the City Council has also endorsed HR 676. Activists who worked for passage of the resolution are now trying to meet with Rob Andrews, the U.S. Congressman for the south Jersey district, to urge him to co-sponsor HR 676.

In Frankfort, Kentucky, the House of Representatives of the General Assembly unanimously approved a resolution calling on the Bluegrass State's congressional delegation to vote for HR 676.

In Indianapolis, Indiana, the city-county council has endorsed HR 676 with a resolution that "encourages elected federal officials to endorse" the Conyers legislation.

In Ohio, SPAN, the state's Single Payer Action Network, has endorsed HR 676 and will feature the legislation at its annual statewide meeting next month.

In Danville, Kentucky, the Boyle County Fiscal Court voted 6-1 for a resolution supporting HR 676.

New York City Press Conference Calls for Endorsement of H.R. 676 by the Council. (March 26, 2007)

NEW HAMPSHIRE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ENDORSES H.R. 676

Resolution #16
Resolution endorsing the National Health Insurance Act

Whereas, every person in New Hampshire and in the United States deserves access to affordable, quality health care; and

Whereas, there is a growing crisis in health care in the United States of America, manifested in rising health care costs, increased premiums, out-of-pocket spending, decreased international business competitiveness, and massive layoffs; and

Whereas, approximately 11% of New Hampshire residents lacked health insurance in 2004, with many more inadequately insured; those insured now often experience unacceptable medical debt and sometimes life-threatening delays in obtaining health care; Read More

Washington State Democratic Central Committee Endorses H.R. 676

On January 27, 2007 the Washington State Dmocratic Central Committee endorsed the "United States National Health Insurance Act", calling on all Members of Congress to both support and enact the H.R. 676.

Here are the resolves:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Washington states Democrats call on all members of Congress to support and enact the United States National Health Insurance Act, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:  That the Washington State Democrats call on onther County Central Committees in Washington to concur with this resolution, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: This resolution shall be forwarded to all members of Congress, to every State Central Committee, and to the Democratic National Committee.

KENTUCKY: FIRST STATE ENDORSER OF HR676

The full text of HR 81 is on line Here.

Kentucky House Urges Congress to Enact HR 676, Single Payer Health Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, February 11, 2007

Frankfort, Kentucky.   On February 7 the House of Representatives of the Kentucky General Assembly passed a resolution calling on the U.S. Congress to enact HR 676, the National Health Insurance Act.  HR 676 introduced by Congressman John Conyers would implement a single payer plan to provide health insurance coverage to everyone in our country.

While support for a single payer system (government-funded, privately delivered) is growing nationwide, Kentucky is the first state to issue such a strong endorsement.

By voice vote without dissent the Kentucky House of Representatives adopted HR 81, sponsored by Representative Joni L. Jenkins (D-44th, Jefferson County).  The resolution directs the House Clerk to send a copy of the official document to all six members of the Kentucky Congressional delegation as well as to President Bush.

In the 2006 session, a similar resolution was reported favorably out of the Health and Welfare Committee--with bipartisan support. Seventeen legislators joined Rep. Jenkins as co-sponsors, but the resolution did not come before the full House for a vote.

In Kentucky approximately 582,000 people lack health insurance, and the state has raised fees in its Medicaid program despite making extensive overall cuts in benefits.  Resolution 81 cites a 2003 Harvard University study which found that the state spent roughly 4 billion dollars on unnecessary bureaucracy, an amount more than enough to provide coverage to all of Kentucky's uninsured and to improve care for those now covered.

The full text of HR 81 is Here.

Representative Joni Jenkins can be reached at (502) 550-3604.

Virginia organization pushes for health care reform
Two petitions ask legislators to support universal system
By Christina M. Mitchell/staff
cmitchell@newsleader.com

Two petitions circulating locally ask Virginia’s legislators to support a universal health care system.

Both petitions ask legislators to support H.R. 676, a congressional bill known as the United States National Health Insurance Act, or Expanded and Improved Medicare for All. The bill would seek to set up comprehensive health care coverage for all U.S. residents.

The Augusta Coalition for Peace and Justice is circulating the petitions after holding a public meeting last week to discuss the need for health care reform, said Hunter Mabry, one of the group’s facilitators.

The first petition, which will be sent to U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-6th, is part of a national petition started by Healthcare-NOW, a grassroots organization pushing for health care reform. The petition asks Congress to hold hearings on the United States National Health Insurance Act. The Healthcare-NOW representatives will present the petition to Congress this month, in part to recognize the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s death and King’s supportive for health care equality, Mabry said.

The second petition, crafted by the Augusta Coalition for Peace and Justice, asks Sens. John Warner and Jim Webb to introduce legislation similar to H.R. 676 in the Senate. The coalition also passed a resolution indicating its support of a single-payer universal health care system and intent to push for health care reform.

Mabry said coalition members feel there is a health care crisis in America, where millions are uninsured or underinsured. They also believe public opinion is shifting toward an increased interest in this issue.

INDIANAPOLIS CITY AND MARION COUNTY ENDORSE

Rob Stone, MD of PNHP Indiana and Hoosiers for a Common Sense Health Plan reports that Indianapolis has passed an endorsement of HR 676.  Hooray Hoosiers!  It is below:

Indianapolis HR 676 Resolution, passed March 2007

CITY-COUNTY SPECIAL RESOLUTION NO.   , 2007

A SPECIAL RESOLUTION supporting the United States National Health Insurance Act and State legislation enacting universal publicly paid health insurance. 

WHEREAS, everyone deserves access to affordable, quality healthcare; and

WHEREAS, more than 860,000 Hoosiers and 46 million Americans live with no health insurance, of which approximately one quarter of these individuals are children, even though over 80% of these families have at least one family member who is employed; and

WHEREAS, small and large businesses alike are finding it increasingly difficult to provide health insurance to their employees due to growing premiums, and even those employees that receive some health benefits are often under-insured, facing rising co-payments and deductibles, and lack sufficient coverage for vital care and medications; and

WHEREAS, the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the nation is due to prolonged illness and medical bills, and Indiana has one of the highest rates of medical bankruptcy in the country; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated by the Institute of Medicine that 18,000 people die every year due to lack of insurance and access to adequate health care; and

WHEREAS, United States Representatives John Conyers and Dennis Kucinich have introduced House Resolution 676 (HR 676), the United States National Health Insurance Act, which would provide necessary health care to all; and

WHEREAS, the Public Health Committee of the Indiana House of Representatives is also currently considering a proposal draft for universal publicly paid health care in Indiana; now, therefore:

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY-COUNTY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS AND OF MARION COUNTY, INDIANA:

SECTION 1. The Indianapolis City-County Council expresses its support for HR 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act and respectfully encourages elected federal officials to endorse and adopt the resolution.

SECTION 2. The Council further supports and endorses State legislation providing universal publicly paid health insurance for all Indiana residents.

SECTION 3. The Council directs the Clerk to send of a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, members of the Indiana Congressional Delegation, other members of Congress in positions of leadership in the House and Senate with jurisdiction over public health initiatives, the Governor of the State of Indiana, and other legislative officials as deemed appropriate. 

SECTION 4. The Mayor is invited to join in this resolution by affixing his signature hereto.

SECTION 5. This resolution shall be in full force and effect upon adoption and compliance with IC 36-3-4-14.

(Click on the Blue Links in the list below to view the resolutions of:)

CITY, COUNTY, and STATE Endorsers of HR 676:

Cities and counties

1.  Erie , PA

2.  Baltimore , MD

3.  Morehead , KY

4.  Warren County , TN

5.  Wilmington , DE

6.  University City , MO

7.  Lorain , OH

8.  Oberlin , OH

9.  Lorain County , OH

10.  Louisville , KY

11.  Santa Cruz , CA

12.  Tuskeegee , AL

13.  West Hollywood , CA

14.  Ithaca , NY

15.  Wilkinsburg , PA

16.  Cortland County Legislature , NY

17.  Bloomington , IN

18. Indianapolils, IN

19. Marion County, IN

20. Kentucky House of Representatives

21. City Council of Camden, NJ

22. Alachua County Board of Commissioners, Gainesville, FL

23. Detroit, MI

24. Boston, MA

25. Santa Cruz, CA

26. Santa Cruz County

27. Camden, NJ

28. Boyle County, KY

29. Gainesville, FL

30. Bellingham, WA

31. Allegheny County, PA

The text of Metro Council Resolution R 146-9-06 
 
RESOLUTION NO. ____________, SERIES 2006 
 
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE ACT. 
 
SPONSORED BY:  Councilwoman Mary Woolridge 
 
Whereas, every person in Metro Louisville and in the United States deserves access to affordable, quality healthcare; and  
 
Whereas, over 45.8 million Americans, including 85,000 residents of Metro Louisville, live daily without healthcare coverage; and 
 
Whereas, those insured now often experience burdensome medical debt and sometimes life-threatening delays in obtaining healthcare; and 
 
Whereas, one-half of all personal bankruptcies are due to illnesses or medical bills; and 
 
Whereas, administrative costs for our current healthcare system consume approximately thirty percent (30%) of United States healthcare spending, with rising costs contributing to decreased international business competitiveness 
and massive layoffs; and 
 
Whereas, United States Representative John Conyers has introduced  
House Resolution 676, (hereinafter referred to as HR 676), The United States National Health Insurance Act, which would provide healthcare to all; and 
 
Whereas, the goal of HR 676 is to ensure that all Americans have access, guaranteed by law, to the highest quality and most cost-effective healthcare services regardless of their employment, income, or healthcare status; and 
 
Whereas, HR 676 will cover all medically necessary services, including primary care, inpatient care, outpatient care, emergency care, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, long term care, mental health services, dentistry, eye care, chiropractic, and substance abuse treatment; and 
 
Whereas, HR 676 will give patients their choice of physicians, providers, hospitals, and clinics with no co-pays or deductibles in a publicly financed, privately delivered system; 
 
 
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT (THE COUNCIL) AS FOLLOWS: 
 
SECTION I: The Metro Council of Louisville, Kentucky hereby supports and endorses HR 676, "United States Health Insurance Act;" and respectfully requests our elected federal officials to endorse and adopt HR 676; and the Council Clerk is authorized and directed to forward copies of this Resolution to our federal legislators and to our area state legislators to enlist their support of this vital piece of legislation. 
 
SECTION II:  This Resolution shall take effect upon its passage and approval. 
 
 
 
_____________________________ _____________________________ 
Kathleen J. Herron Kevin J. Kramer 
Metro Council Clerk President of the Council  
 
 
 
____________________________ _____________________________ 
Jerry E. Abramson Approval Date 
Mayor  
 
 
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY: 
 
Irv Maze 
Jefferson County Attorney 
 
 
 
BY:  ____________________________ 

LOUISVILLE Metro Council Endorses Resolution 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

ANOTHER CITY ENDORSES H.R. 676

   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.    (2006)

The full resolution is available from nursenpo@aol.com.

Boston, Massachusetts

One of the earliest cities to sign on   (2005)

__________________________________________

Official Resolution
Offered By Boston City Councillors, Felix Arroyo,
Chuck Turner, Michael Ross, John Tobin, Maura Hennigan, Charles Yancey,
Paul Scapicchio, Jerry McDermott, Stephen Murphy & Michael Flaherty

Whereas: The Greater Boston Labor Council, Jobs with Justice, many elected officials and more than thirty local union and community organizations are sponsoring a hearing at Boston's historic Faneuil Hall on September 1st, 2005 to build pressure on policymakers for comprehensive health care reform; and

Whereas: The United States National Health Insurance Act (HR 676) would provide all individuals residing in the United States with free health care that includes all medically necessary care, such as primary care and prevention, prescription drugs, emergency care, and mental health services; and

Whereas: This Grassroots Hearing on Health Care is an important part of a local and national campaign to build a stronger movement for a "Medicare for All" solution (HR 676) to the U.S. health care crisis; and

Whereas: Passage of HR 676 would ensure that everyone in the City of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and across the United States would receive high quality and affordable health care; and

Whereas: The Boston City Council recognizes the Grassroots Hearing on Health Care as an excellent opportunity for Boston's residents and others to join together to promote long-overdue comprehensive solutions to the health care crisis.

Therefore be it Resolved

That the Boston City Council does hereby extend its congratulations and best wishes for continued success to the organizers of the Grassroots Hearing on Health Care; that this Resolution be duly signed by the President of the City Council and attested to and a copy thereof transmitted by the Clerk of the City of Boston.

Resolution came from:
Jamie Willmuth
Chief of Staff
Councillor Felix D. Arroyo
(617)-635-3115