HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-09-0179Vop City of Miami
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Resolution: R-09-0179
File Number: 09-00360
City Hall
3500 Pan American
Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
Final Action Date: 4/2/2009
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING THE MEMBERS OF
THE UNITED STATES SENATE AND THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES TO SUPPORT PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S GOALS OF
MAKING HEALTH CARE MORE AFFORDABLE AND AVAILABLE TO ALL
AMERICANS; FURTHER URGING INSURANCE COMPANIES, EMPLOYERS AND
STATE GOVERNMENTS TO EMBRACE COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE
REFORM TO PROTECT AMERICAN FAMILIES; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE HEREIN DESIGNATED
OFFICIALS.
WHEREAS, the high cost of health care has a devastating effect on American families, forcing
millions to live without essential coverage; and
WHEREAS, in less than a decade, if nothing is done about the rising cost of health care, the cost
of health care will consume more than one- fifth (1/5th) of our Gross Domestic Product; and
WHEREAS, quality health care is a basic human right that enables Americans to pursue a good
education, employment, and a good quality of life; and
WHEREAS, many creative entrepreneurs who could be creating jobs, innovations and more ,
cannot afford to launch their enterprises for fear of losing medical coverage; and
WHEREAS, talented people with disabilities have been severely limited in career options, job
opportunities and daily quality of life because of the pre-existing condition exclusions that exist in
policy coverages and the high cost of medical insurance; and
WHEREAS, the current cost of health insurance is skyrocketing out of control and not only hurts
working families, but also threatens our entire economy; and
WHEREAS, health care reform is an investment in maintaining our very standing as the greatest
nation on earth; and
WHEREAS, the White House Health Care Reform Plan calls for affordable, accessible health
care for all Americans, builds on the existing health care system, and uses existing providers, doctors,
and plans; and
WHEREAS, patients will be able to make health care decisions with their doctors, instead of being
blocked by insurance company bureaucrats; and
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Enactment Number: R-09-0179
WHEREAS, under said plan, consumers can keep current health insurance, with the expectation
that costs will go down by as much as $2,500 per year; and
WHEREAS, those without health insurance will have a choice of new, affordable health insurance
options; and
WHEREAS, said plan would:
• Require insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions so that all Americans regardless
of their health status or history can get comprehensive benefits at fair and stable premiums;
• Create a new Small Business Health Tax Credit to help small businesses provide affordable
health insurance to their employees;
• Lower costs for businesses by covering a portion of the catastrophic health costs they pay in
return for lower premiums for employees;
• Prevent insurers from overcharging doctors for their malpractice insurance and invest in
proven strategies to reduce preventable medical errors;
• Make employer contributions more fair by requiring large employers that do not offer coverage
or make a meaningful contribution to the cost of quality health coverage for their employees to
contribute a percentage of payroll toward the costs of their employees' health care;
• Establish a National Health Insurance Exchange with a range of private insurance options as
well as a new public plan based on benefits available to members of Congress that will allow
individuals and small businesses to buy affordable health coverage;
• Ensure everyone who needs it will receive a tax credit for their premiums;
• Lower drug costs by allowing the importation of safe medicines from other developed
countries, increasing the use of generic drugs in public programs, and taking on drug
companies that block cheaper generic medicines from the market;
• Require hospitals to collect and report health care cost and quality data;
• Reduce the costs of catastrophic illnesses for employers and their employees;
• Reform the insurance market to increase competition by taking on anticompetitive activity that
drives up prices without improving quality of care;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA:
Section 1. The Miami City Commission urges members of the United States Senate and the
United States House of Representatives to support President Barrack Obama's goals of making
health care more affordable and available to all Americans; and further urges insurance companies,
employers and state governments to embrace comprehensive health care reform to protect American
families.
Section 2. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to President Barack
Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Senate Majority Harry Leader Reid and Speaker of the House
Nancy Pelosi.
Section 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature of
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the Mayor.{1 }
Footnotes:
Enactment Number: R-09-0179
{1} If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten calendar
days from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become
effective immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.
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