CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
title
A RESOLUTION supporting the passage of the Medicare for All Act of 2019.
body
WHEREAS, the United States paid approximately $3,500,000,000,000 dollars in total healthcare spending in 2017, an increase of 3.9 percent over the previous year and, at nearly $11,000 per person, the highest healthcare per capita spending rate in the world; and
WHEREAS, an estimated one quarter to one-third of healthcare spending is on administrative costs, including generating bills and collecting payments; and
WHEREAS, despite spending nearly 19 percent of gross domestic product on healthcare, the United States has worse health outcomes compared with other developed countries, including a maternal mortality rate (26.4 deaths per 100,000 births) up to five times more than other developed countries; a higher infant mortality rate; a lower life expectancy (69 years) that has been getting lower for the last two years; and higher rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and preventable deaths; and
WHEREAS, although the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has resulted in dramatic increases in health insurance coverage since its passage in 2010, the 14 states not participating in ACA-authorized Medicaid expansion perpetuate non-coverage for low-income individuals; and
WHEREAS, too many Americans are one medical crisis away from bankruptcy or are forced to choose between rent and life-saving medical treatments; and
WHEREAS, annual spending on prescription drugs, a major cost driver of healthcare, exceeds $350,000,000,000; and
WHEREAS, Governor Jay Inslee is introducing legislation to provide a public health care option through Washington State's health benefit exchange; and
WHEREAS, in Washington State the uninsured population declined from 14 percent of the state's population in 2013 to 6.1 percent in 2017, yet an estimated 446,106 individuals remain uninsured, including 118,818 individuals in King County; and
WHEREAS, in King County as in the re...
Click here for full text