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A Resolution of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, urging the preservation of Medicaid's role as a safety net for the most vulnerable members of our society.
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WHEREAS, the Medicaid program has been an essential part of the American health care system for forty years; and
WHEREAS, 53 million Americans and 1.8 million Pennsylvanians depend on Medicaid to cover their comprehensive health care; and
WHEREAS, the lack of health care coverage is becoming more pervasive over time, with 3.4 million fewer employed individuals receiving health insurance coverage from their employers in 2003 than in 2000; and
WHEREAS, County residents who rely upon Medicaid coverage include pregnant women, the elderly, children parents, and disabled individuals, all of whom are confronted with the continued increase in health care costs; and
WHEREAS, federal Medicaid revenues also support the region's hospitals, nursing homes, community and mental health centers, and children's school health services; and
WHEREAS, the Medicaid program is highly efficient, with administrative costs that are significantly lower than those of private-sector health insurance providers, and expenditures that are rising more slowly than those of private-sector health programs; and
WHEREAS, increasing the beneficiary's cost through co-pays, reducing program eligibility, and restricting necessary services would ultimately shift costs to the Commonwealth, and has the potential to deprive vulnerable individuals of basic health care and increase the number of uninsured people;
The Council of the County of Allegheny hereby resolves as follows:
SECTION 1.
The Council of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, urges the preservation of Medicaid's role as a safety net for the most vulnerable members of our society.
SECTION 2.
Copies of this Resolution shall be transmitted to President Bush, Senators Specter and Santorum, Representatives Doyle, Murphy, Murtha and Hart, Governor Rendell, and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
SECTION 3.
If any provision of this Resolution shall be determined to be unlawful, invalid, void or unenforceable, then that provision shall be considered severable from the remaining provisions of this Resolution which shall be in full force and effect.
SECTION 4.
Any Resolution or Ordinance or part thereof conflicting with the provisions of this Resolution is hereby repealed so far as the same affects this Resolution.