Resolution on Health Care
Accepted by the Jefferson County Democratic Party Executive Committee
June 22, 2006
Health care in the USA is one of the top domestic issues. The President and the Congress have take minimal steps to address it. Politicians have been strong on rhetoric and weak on action.
Fact: 45.8 million Americans were uninsured in 2004, an increase of 800,000 over 2003. (U.S. Census Bureau)
Fact: Uninsured children were at a rate of 11.2% in 2004, the same as the previous year. (Kaiser Family Foundation)
Fact: The number of uninsured adults under 65 increased by 6 million between 2000 and 2004, mainly due to a decline in employer-sponsored insurance. (Kaiser Family Foundation)
Fact: Congressional budget package passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 216-214, and by the Senate by 51-50 (Cheney cast the deciding vote), will cut programs like Medicare, Medicaid, SSI, and child support enforcement by nearly $40 billion over the next five years.
Therefore, we advocate at least these first steps toward a more adequate health care system:
Urge Congress to recognize the importance of health care by restoring and expanding funding for programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.
Urge Congress to oppose federal tax credits as a method to address the health needs of the uninsured; many do not pay taxes now because of low incomes.
Urge Congress to enact legislation to control the rising costs of prescription drugs, including new regulations of the pharmaceutical companies and the distribution systems.
Americans deserve health care that is equal, accessible, affordable, and high quality. Congress must take action in working with the medical community of our nation.