Passed Resolution Urging Federal and State Political Leadership to Support Single-Payer Healthcare

This resolution was passed by the membership at the July 2017 general meeting.

Whereas the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) does not provide health coverage for millions of U.S. residents, and

Whereas single-payer health care bills have been introduced in both the House and Senate of
Washington state and did not come out of committee, and

Whereas there is an active bill in the United States House of Representatives, HR 676, Expanded & Improved Medicare for All, that would provide health coverage for all U.S. residents at considerably lower cost, and

Whereas a single-payer health care bill is being drafted for the United States Senate, and

Whereas recent public opinion polls find support for such a plan to be well above 50% among all voters (and 81% among Democrats), and

Whereas the public outcry against the AHCA offers a great opportunity to educate the public about a superior solution to the need to move on beyond the ACA to full universal health coverage in the U.S., and

Whereas the platform of the Washington State Democrats calls for “An affordable universal single-payer system to provide the most equitable and effective health care, serving both individual and public health needs…”

Therefore, be it resolved that the 37th Legislative District Democrats ask Gov. Jay Inslee, Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, and our delegation to the State Legislature, Representatives and Eric Pettigrew and Sharon Tomiko Santos and Senator Rebecca Saldaña to support universal single-payer health care bills and initiatives in Washington.

Be it further resolved that we urge U. S. Representatives Adam Smith (WA-9th CD) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-7th CD) to vocally support and Co-Sponsor HR 676, Expanded & Improved Medicare for All.

Be it further resolved that we urge Washington U. S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to co-sponsor and advocate a universal single-payer healthcare bill being drafted in the senate.

Be it finally resolved that the executive board, PCOs, and membership of the 37th LD request above mentioned representatives respond upon receipt of this resolution.