HomeMy Public PortalAbout2009 CC RES 09-090RESOLUTION 09 -090
CONSIDERATION TO SUPPORT RESOLUTION 09 -090 URGING
PRESIDENT OBAMA AND CONGRESS TO ADOPT HEALTH CARE
REFORM PROVIDING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR ALL
AMERICANS
WHEREAS, cities are on the frontlines of the health care crisis with high rates of un-
insurance and rapidly escalating costs affecting residents, businesses, and workers; and
WHEREAS, city governments spend billions of dollars to provide health coverage to
millions of employees, dependents, and retirees, and rising health costs affect cities' ability to
provide other city services; and
WHEREAS, many cities face serious health workforce shortages, particularly among
primary care professionals in low - income 'communities; and
WHEREAS, many families and individuals served by city programs have unmet health
and mental health needs, complicating city efforts to provide effective services; and
WHEREAS, local public health agencies receive limited federal and state support despite
the cost effectiveness of public health strategies in preventing and addressing chronic diseases;
and
WHEREAS, nearly 46 million Americans lack health insurance and are less likely than
their insured counterparts to receive recommended preventive and screening services, or
medicines and treatments that meet the professional standard, and are more likely to die
prematurely; and
WHEREAS, nearly 9 million children lack health insurance coverage and therefore have
fewer well -child visits, worse access to specialists, fewer immunizations and more visits to the
emergency room than children with health coverage; and
WHEREAS, millions more Americans are under insured and at risk of financial ruin if
they experience a major illness; and
WHEREAS, health care costs, and employment -based health insurance premiums in
particular, have increased at rates much higher than inflation or wage growth for the last decade;
and
and
WHEREAS, health costs threaten the global competitiveness of American businesses;
WHEREAS, our current health care system focuses on treating disease rather than
preventing it or promoting wellness; and
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Resolution No. 09 -090
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, there are large disparities in health status and health outcomes based on
race, ethnicity, and physical ability, and many health care providers do not offer adequate service
to patients with limited English proficiency or limited physical or mental ability; and
WHEREAS, chronic diseases pose the greatest challenge to our health care system and
our health care delivery system is not well- organized to prevent and treat them; and
WHEREAS, public hospitals and clinics, community health centers, and other safety net
providers provide care to underserved individuals regardless of income, health coverage, or
immigration status; and
WHEREAS, many local governments have developed innovations to expand access to
quality health care, make health services more affordable, and improve health care quality while
acknowledging that any comprehensive reform must be led by the federal government; and
WHEREAS, leaders in both political parties serving in Congress and the White House
have called for enactment of comprehensive health care reform; and
WHEREAS, the President has pledged enactment of comprehensive reform this year, and
substantial progress is being made in Congress to engage stakeholders and craft comprehensive
reform; and
WHEREAS, that comprehensive reform should reduce long -term. growth of health care
costs for businesses and government; protect families from bankruptcy or debt because of health
care costs; guarantee choice of doctors and health plans; invest in prevention and wellness;
improve patient safety and quality of care; assure affordable, quality health coverage for all
Americans; maintain coverage when someone changes or loses a job; end barriers to coverage
for people with pre- existing medical conditions; support public hospitals and other providers in
the health care safety net so that those who fall through the cracks of expanded health coverage
may still receive care; ensure that surge capacity is available in case of public health
emergencies; and ensure that the cultural competencies achieved by providers serving diverse
populations are preserved and enhanced in a reformed health care system;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, with the concurrence of the Mayor, that by
the adoption of this Resolution, the City of Los Angeles hereby includes in its 2009 -2010 Federal
Legislative Program support for the immediate enactment of the Administration's health care
reform principles.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 1st day of September, 2009.
Mayor Jim Dear
ATTEST:
City Clerk Helen S. Kaw goes
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
CITY OF CARSON
ss.
I, Helen S. Kawagoe, City Clerk of the City of Carson, California,
number of members of the City Council is five; that the foregoing r
09 -090 was duly and regularly adopted by said Council at a regular
on the 1st day of September, 2009, and that the same was passed and
Resolution No. 09 -090
Page 3 of 3
do hereby certify that the whole
esolution, being Resolution No.
meeting duly and regularly held
adopted by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Mayor Dear, Davis - Holmes, Santarina, Gipson and Ruiz -Raber
None
None
None
City
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f :L.
erk Helen S. awagoe I