Last night I attended a Healthcare4Every1 Rally in Bristol, immediately after which nearly 500 petition signatures were presented to the city council to urge its passage of the "City of Bristol Health Care Resolution." The resolution passed unanimously but for one abstention, as Steve Collins reports in the Bristol Press:

City councilors unanimously backed that call at Tuesday’s meeting. One member of the council, Republican Ken Cockayne, abstained because he sells insurance. “You can be sure this City Council is behind this resolution wholeheartedly,” [Bristol Mayor Art] Ward said.

Though the passage of the resolution is itself noteworthy, equally notable (if not more so) were the many heart-wrenching stories of how our inadequate health care system continues to fail in providing adequate, affordable health care. In the coming days, I hope to post video of some of these stories to this blog.

If you would like to get involved or get more information on how to pass a similar resolution in your town, contact Jody Trestman, Cari Carter, or Joella Bouchard Mudry.

City of Bristol

Health Care Resolution

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); and

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

Whereas, the United States Congress has failed to enact legislation that provides access to comprehensive health care for all Americans, and

Whereas, approximately one out of every ten Connecticut residents – an estimated 353,000 people¹ – is uninsured and,

Whereas, Connecticut family health care premiums rose, on average, by 77% between 2000 and 2006 – resulting in the sixth highest rates in the nation – while median earnings in the state rose by only 13.2% during the same period of time²; and

Whereas, each year health care costs are rising at high rates, causing business to shift health care costs to employees in the form of increased co-pays, deductibles, increased employee contributions or decreases in health care benefits and eradications of jobs³; and

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

Whereas, medical debt is the number one cause of bankruptcy in Connecticut⁴; and

Whereas, racial, income, and ethnic disparities in access to care threaten communities of color across Connecticut, particularly here in Bristol; and

Whereas, Bristol residents need and deserve access to quality health care regardless of income or social status; and

Whereas, the Connecticut General Assembly is currently considering numerous proposals regarding expanded health care access for Connecticut residents which will directly impact both the duration and quality of life of Bristol residents; and

Whereas, there is nothing more powerful we can do to create jobs, to secure the well being of our most vulnerable families, and to save taxpayers money than to accomplish universal health care here in Connecticut this year; and

Whereas, healcare4every1 is a statewide advocacy campaign whose goal is to organize an active, vibrant and diverse network of concerned residents and organizations in order to build public and political support to achieve universal health care in Connecticut,

Now, Therefore Be it Resolved, that the Bristol’s City Council Members encourages the Connecticut General Assembly to enact legislation that provides access to comprehensive health care for all Connecticut residents; and

Be it Further Resolved, that the Bristol’s City Council Members endorses the healthcare4every1 campaign and, in doing so, agree with the institute of Medicine’s principles for universal health care;

• Health care coverage should be universal – it should cover everyone.
• Health care coverage should be continuous, portable from job to job, and between employed and unemployed status.
• Health care coverage should be affordable, especially to low-income individuals and families.
• The health insurance strategy should be affordable and sustainable for society.
• Health insurance should enhance health and well being by promoting access to high-quality care that is effective, efficient, safe, timely, patient-centered and equitable.

Be it Further Resolved that a copy of this resolution be sent to each member of the Connecticut General Assembly.

¹Kaiser Commission/Urban Institute report compiled from - Census Bureau Current Population Survey March 2006-2007

²Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust - Employer Benefits 2007 Annual Survey

³Families USA – Premiums vs. Paychecks: A growing burden for Connecticut’s Workers 10/2006

⁴Families USA – Premiums vs. Paychecks: A growing burden for Connecticut’s Workers 10/2006