Authorizing City Council in support of the National Health Insurance Act, as proposed by H.R. 676, and the state Family and Business Health Security Act, as proposed by H.B. 1660 and S.B. 300.

WHEREAS,

Every person in the City of Philadelphia and the United States deserves access to affordable, quality healthcare; and

WHEREAS,

Over 45 million Americans, and over 137,000 residents in the City of Philadelphia, live daily without healthcare coverage; and

WHEREAS,

There are two Pennsylvania state single-payer healthcare bills, the Family and Business Health Security Act (now HB 1660 and SB 300), that would also reduce Philadelphia’s healthcare costs for its employees; and

WHEREAS,

HR 676 HB 1660 and SB 300 will cover all medically necessary services, including primary care, inpatient care, outpatient care, emergency care, prescription drugs, durable medial equipment, long-term care, mental health services, dentistry, eye care, podiatry, chiropractic, and substance abuse treatment, and

WHEREAS

, Illnesses and medical debt annually cause 500,000 bankruptcies in the United States affectiving two million people and an increasing number of home foreclosures are also associated with medical debt; and

WHEREAS,

Administrative costs and profits amount of 30 percent of health care spending in the United States, with rising costs contributing to decreased international competitiveness and massive layoffs; and

WHEREAS,

Americans spending double what other industrialized counties spending per person while they are covering all their citizens; and

WHEREAS

, The City of Philadelphia 2008 employee healthcare costs are approximately $613 billion, including $43.5 million for retirees and $171 million for programs for uninsured residents, therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,

That Council hereby expresses its support for the Family and Business Health Security Act (now HB 1660 and SB 300) and call upon Pennsylvania legislators to work towards their immediate enactment.

End