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File #: 3154-07    Version: 1 Name: A Resolution of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, urging the United States Congress to approve House Resolution 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act, establishing the United States National Health Insurance Program to
Type: Resolution Status: Approved
File created: 4/17/2007 In control: County Council
On agenda: Final action: 5/1/2007
Title: A Resolution of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, urging the United States Congress to approve House Resolution 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act, establishing the United States National Health Insurance Program to provide all individuals residing in the United States and in U.S. territories with free health care that includes all medically necessary care, such as primary care, and prevention, prescription drugs, emergency care, and mental health services.
Sponsors: Rich Fitzgerald, John DeFazio, Michael Finnerty, Joan Cleary, Brenda Frazier, Jim Burn, Bob Macey, William E. Lestitian, William Robinson
Attachments: 1. 18-07-RE Bill No. 3154-07.PDF, 2. 18-07-RE to Congress.htm
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A Resolution of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, urging the United States Congress to approve House Resolution 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act, establishing the United States National Health Insurance Program to provide all individuals residing in the United States and in U.S. territories with free health care that includes all medically necessary care, such as primary care, and prevention, prescription drugs, emergency care, and mental health services.

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WHEREAS, thousands of County residents either lack health insurance and depend upon hospital emergency rooms for health care or are under-insured; and

WHEREAS, according to 2005 census data, approximately 46.6 million United States residents were uninsured, with 1.4 million of these individuals residing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a figure which represents 11% of the Commonwealth's population; and

WHEREAS, Allegheny County has budgeted approximately $53.3 million for health care coverage of just under 7,000 County employees for 2007, which represents a 14% increase from the $46.6 million the County budgeted in 2006; and

WHEREAS, other entities within the County experience significant costs for health care, as evidenced by reports that twenty percent of the Port Authority of Allegheny County's budget is spent on health care costs; and

WHEREAS, Congressman John Conyers of Michigan, along with 60 other members of the United States House of Representatives have introduced H.R. 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act; and

WHEREAS, H.R. 676 would provide single payer, Medicare health insurance for all US residents through a publicly financed privately delivered health care system, unique to the US, under which residents would retain their choice of provider, doctors, nurses and treatment; and

WHEREAS, H.R. 676, if enacted, would cover primary care, outpatient care, emergency care, medications, durable medical equipmen...

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