Health care resolution

EDITOR:

The Alpine County Democratic Central Committee is very concerned about health coverage and has sent the following resolution to President Obama, Sen. Harry Reid, and our two senators and the members of the House who represent our district.

Health Care/Public Option Resolution: Adopted by the Alpine County Democratic Central Committee on Sept. 24, 2009:

Whereas, the health care system of the United States is in crisis, with almost 50million Americans lacking any health insurance, tens of millions more lacking adequate coverage, and millions more who do have private coverage paying increasingly unaffordable premiums, resulting in inadequate access to care and premature death, illness, or financial ruin for millions of Americans; and

Whereas, public polls show that an overwhelming majority of Americans want the federal government to provide national health insurance.

The proposals of a public option are already a compromise from the majority's desire for government provided national health insurance. Co-ops or so-called "triggers" are inadequate in and of themselves to address the health care crisis by creating significant competition for the medical insurance industry; and

Whereas, Republicans and their allies in the health insurance industry have organized and funded groups of extremists to disrupt efforts on the part of the Democratic majority and administration to reasonably discuss the issue with the American people, and have demonstrated an utter unwillingness to compromise in any way to pass meaningful health care reform;

Therefore be it resolved, that the Alpine County Democratic Central Committee urges members of Congress and the president to vote for only such health care reform proposals as contain single payer system or a robust public option at all stages of the legislative process including conference and reconciliation, and encourages legislators to use any available parliamentary means to pass such reform;

Be it further resolved, that Alpine County Democratic Central Committee shall send a copy of this resolution to the president and all members of Congress who represent any of our members.

Irving Krauss

Acting Chair

Alpine County Democratic Central Committee