From our President

January 2004  

Please make a commitment to health care for all.  

             Over the past eight years, Congress repeatedly has addressed health policy for parts of the population – the newly unemployed, low-income children, customers of HMOs, Medicare beneficiaries, and so on.  The time has come to agree that all Americans should enjoy access to good health care.  
            In the late 90s – even with a strong economy and a federal budget surplus – access to affordable comprehensive health care was becoming harder.  Now, with a struggling economy and a record federal deficit, the strains in American health care are growing increasingly visible.  Even those with employer health benefits are increasingly forced to pay more for less coverage.  
            A variety of specific proposals have been made to fix the problems of health care cost and access.  They reflect  a growing consensus that action is needed to address the health care crisis. Progress appears stymied by  disagreements over exactly how this crisis should be resolved.  We, the undersigned  believe that what the nation needs now is a commitment from Congress to approach health care for everybody with a sense of urgency.  
            We ask you, therefore, to become a cosponsor of the Health Care Access Resolution – House Concurrent Resolution 99, Senate Concurrent Resolution 41 – by the end of March 2004.  The Resolution does not endorse a specific plan.  Rather, it lays out  principles necessary for any plan to be efficient, just, and sustainable. This resolution commits Congress to begin a meaningful public debate very soon on how to provide affordable access to health care for all, and to pass a comprehensive health care plan by October 2005, one year after the Presidential election.  Your co-sponsorship of this Resolution will signify that you recognize the urgency of finding a truly comprehensive solution to America’s health care crisis.  
            In addition to this letter, individuals and groups from the organizations signed on to this letter will be sending you personal messages and making visits to your offices.  Please make a commitment to a healthy America now.

HCAR:    HEALTH CARE ACCESS RESOLUTION

House Concurrent Resolution 99 (H. Con Res. 99)  & Senate Concurrent Resolution 41 (S. Con. Res. 41)

(from <http://thomas.loc.gov>)  

Directing Congress to enact legislation by October 2005 that provides access to comprehensive health care for all Americans.  

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 18, 2003

Mr. CONYERS  submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

Concurrent Resolution

             Directing the Congress to enact legislation by October 2005 that provides access to comprehensive health care for all Americans.

            Whereas the United States has the most expensive health care system in the world in terms of absolute costs, per capita costs, and percentage of gross domestic product (GDP);

            Whereas despite being first in spending, the World Health Organization has ranked the United States 37th among all nations in terms of meeting the needs of its people;

            Whereas 42,000,000 Americans, including 8,000,000 children, are uninsured; Whereas tens of millions more Americans are inadequately insured, including Medicare beneficiaries who lack access to prescription drug coverage and long term care coverage;

            Whereas racial, income, and ethnic disparities in access to care threaten communities across the country, particularly communities of color;

            Whereas health care costs continue to increase, jeopardizing the health security of working families and small businesses;

            Whereas dollars that could be spent on health care are being used for administrative costs instead of patient needs;

            Whereas the current health care system too often puts the bottom line ahead of patient care and threatens safety net providers who treat the uninsured and poorly insured; and

            Whereas any health care reform must ensure that health care providers and practitioners are able to provide patients with the quality care they need: Now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), that the Congress shall enact legislation by October 2005 to guarantee that every person in the United States, regardless of income, age, or employment or health status, has access to health care that --

1.         is affordable to individuals and families, businesses and taxpayers and that removes financial barriers to needed care;  

2.         is as cost efficient as possible, spending the maximum amount of dollars on direct patient care;  

3.         provides comprehensive benefits, including benefits for mental health and long term care services;

 4.        promotes prevention and early intervention;

 5.        includes parity for mental health and other services;

 6.        eliminates disparities in access to quality health care;  

7.         addresses the needs of people with special health care needs and underserved populations in rural and urban areas;  

8.         promotes quality and better health outcomes;  

9.         addresses the need to have adequate numbers of qualified health care caregivers, practitioners, and providers to guarantee timely access to quality care;

10.       provides adequate and timely payments in order to guarantee access to providers;  

11.       fosters a strong network of health care facilities, including safety net providers;  

12.       ensures continuity of coverage and continuity of care;  

13.       maximizes consumer choice of health care providers and practitioners; and

14.       is easy for patients, providers and practitioners to use and reduces paperwork.

             Original Request:

            To: National Organizations which have endorsed the Health Care Access Resolution

            From: Ken Frisof, National Director, UHCAN For Bridging Coalitions: Communities United for Universal Health Care

            Re: Letter to Congress re HCAR - SIGN Now!

            **DEADLINE: Saturday, January 24, 2004**

             With the passage of the Medicare reform bill, the nation¹s attention is turning to the larger crisis in American health care ­ the lack of affordable access to comprehensive health care for tens of millions of Americans.
               We believe that Congress, confronted with the need to do something to show its concerns, but stymied by the differences that divide its Members, can coalesce around the most attractive mechanism that both crosses partisan lines and offers a specific action on the matter ­ the Health Care Access Resolution (H Con Res 99, S Con Res 41). The Resolution lays out principles for any plan to be just, efficient and sustainable. It simply and unambiguously commits Congress to act in 2005, without stipulating what that action must be.   
            Thank you for your endorsement of the Resolution in the past. To demonstrate that the Resolution has broad organizational support, we ask that your organization sign-on to a letter that asks all Members of Congress, from both parties, to co-sponsor the Resolution now.   

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