HomeMy WebLinkAboutLegislationCity of Miami
Legislation
Resolution
File Number: 09-00647
City Hall
3500 Pan American
Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
Final Action Date:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION SUPPORTING AND
CALLING FOR THE IMMEDIATE ENACTMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S
HEALTH CARE REFORM PRINCIPLES AND AGREEING THAT THIS
COMPREHENSIVE REFORM SHOULD DO THE FOLLOWING: 1) REDUCE
LONG-TERM GROWTH OF HEALTH CARE COSTS FOR BUSINESSES AND
GOVERNMENT; 2) PROTECT FAMILIES FROM BANKRUPTCY OR DEBT
BECAUSE OF HEALTH CARE COSTS; 3) GUARANTEE CHOICE OF DOCTORS
AND HEALTH PLANS; 4) INVEST IN PREVENTION AND WELLNESS; 5)
IMPROVE PATIENT SAFETY AND QUALITY OF CARE; 6) ASSURE
AFFORDABLE, QUALITY HEALTH COVERAGE FOR ALL AMERICANS; 7)
MAINTAIN COVERAGE WHEN SOMEONE CHANGES OR LOSES A JOB; AND 8)
END BARRIERS TO COVERAGE FOR PEOPLE WITH PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL
CONDITIONS; THE COMMISSION FURTHER URGES CONGRESS TO SUPPORT
PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND OTHER PROVIDERS IN THE HEALTH CARE SAFETY
NET SO THAT THOSE WHO FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS OF EXPANDED
HEALTH COVERAGE: MAY STILL RECEIVE CARE; CAPACITY IS AVAILABLE IN
CASE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES; AND THE CULTURAL
COMPETENCIES ACHIEVED BY PROVIDERS SERVING DIVERSE
POPULATIONS ARE PRESERVED AND ENHANCED IN A REFORMED HEALTH
CARE SYSTEM; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS
RESOLUTION TO THE DESIGNATED OFFICIALS HEREIN.
WHEREAS, cities are on the frontlines of the healthcare crisis with high rates of uninsurance and
escalating costs affecting residents, businesses, and workers; and
WHEREAS, city governments spend billions of dollars to provide health coverage to millions of
employees, dependents, and retirees; and
WHEREAS, rising health costs affect cities' ability to provide other city services; and
WHEREAS, cities face serious health workforce shortages, particularly among primary care
professionals in low-income communities; and
WHEREAS, many families and individuals served by city programs have unmet health and mental
health needs, complicating city efforts to provide effective services; and
WHEREAS, city public health agencies receive limited federal and state support despite the
cost-effectiveness of public health strategies in preventing and addressing chronic diseases; and
WHEREAS, nearly forty-six (46) million Americans lack health insurance and are less likely than
their insured counterparts to receive recommended preventive screening services or 26 medicines and
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File Number: 09-00647
treatments that meet the professional standard, thus are more likely to die prematurely: and
WHEREAS, nearly nine (9) million children lack health insurance coverage and have fewer
well-child visits, worse access to specialists, fewer immunizations, and more visits to the emergency
room than children with health coverage; and
WHEREAS, millions of Americans are underinsured and at risk of financial ruin, if they experience
a major illness; and
WHEREAS, health care costs, and employment -based health insurance premiums in particular,
have increased at rates much higher than inflation or wage growth for the last decade; and
WHEREAS, health costs threaten the global competitiveness of American businesses; and
WHEREAS, our current health care system focuses on treating disease rather than preventing it or
promoting wellness; and
WHEREAS, there are large disparities in health outcomes based on race, ethnicity, and physical
ability, and many health care providers do not offer adequate service to patients with limited English
proficiency or limited physical or mental ability; and
WHEREAS, chronic diseases pose the greatest challenge to our health care system, and our
health care delivery system is not well -organized to prevent and treat them; and
WHEREAS, public hospitals and clinics, community health centers, and other safety net providers
provide care to millions of underserved individuals regardless of income, health coverage, or
immigration status; and
WHEREAS, many cities have developed innovative programs to expand access to quality health
care, make health services more affordable, and improve health care quality, while acknowledging that
any comprehensive reform must be led by the federal government; and
WHEREAS, leaders in both political parties serving in Congress and the White House have called
for enactment of comprehensive health care reform; and
WHEREAS, the President has pledged enactment of comprehensive reform this year, and
substantial progress is being made in Congress to engage stakeholders and craft comprehensive
reform; and
WHEREAS, Mayors, as representatives of their citizens, as employers, as health care providers
and as partners to small and large businesses who struggle with health care costs, should have their
voices heard in the crafting of comprehensive reform proposals;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are adopted by
reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
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File Number: 09-00647
Section 2. The Miami City Commission supports and calls for immediate enactment of the
Administration's Health Care Reform Principles and agrees this comprehensive reform should do the
following: 1) reduce long-term growth of health care costs for businesses and government; 2) protect
families from bankruptcy or debt because of health care costs: 3) guarantee choice of doctors and
health plans; 4) invest in prevention and wellness; 5) improve patient safety and quality of care; 6)
assure affordable, quality health coverage for all Americans; 7) maintain coverage when someone
changes or loses a job; and 8) end barriers to coverage for people with pre-existing medical
conditions.
Section 3. The Miami City Commission further urges Congress to support public hospitals and
other providers in the health care safety net so that those who fall through the cracks of expanded
health coverage: may still receive care; capacity is available in case of public health emergencies; and
the cultural competencies achieved by providers serving diverse populations are preserved and
enhanced in a reformed care system.
Section 4. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to President Obama and
the members of Congress.
Section 5. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature of
the Mayor.{1}
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
JULIE O. BRU'1
CITY ATTORNEY
Footnotes:
{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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