Agenda 4-g - Resolution Endorsing HR 1384 - Improved Medicare For All

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RES-2019-032 2 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 4th day of June 2019. Penny Rich, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners