Photo by Logan Bonjean on Unsplash.
Proclamation No. 22-1099—City & County of Denver
A Proclamation Endorsing Improved Medicare for All
as the State or National Health Care System
WHEREAS, all Denver residents should have access to a state or national not-for-profit, single payer, health care financing system that pays for comprehensive, high quality, affordable health care, including dental, vison, hearing and mental health services: and
WHEREAS, the pandemic has demonstrated the critical roles people of all income levels provide to keep our economy functioning properly and that everyone must have access to high quality, affordable health care to continue providing these services; and
WHEREAS, the high cost of health care is a significant factor in the inability of many Denver residents to find affordable housing; and
WHEREAS, the pandemic has highlighted the systemic racial bias present in our health care system that contributes to people of color having poorer access to health care and poorer health outcomes, and
WHEREAS, Denver residents should not have to worry about loss of affordable health care when making decisions about marriage or divorce or about providing care for elderly, sick or young family members; and
WHEREAS, many small businesses in Denver struggle to attract and retain employees because employees are often looking for jobs with health care benefits; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has clearly demonstrated that access to health care should not be tied to employment; and
WHEREAS, the Denver economy would benefit when entrepreneurs have the freedom to pursue their vision without being constrained by the potential loss of health care for themselves and their family members if they leave existing employment; and
WHEREAS, the final report released September 2021 from the Health Care Cost Analysis Task Force (funded by the State Legislature via HR 1176 and prepared by the University of Colorado School of Public Health) identified a state run, not-for-profit, single payer health care financing system as the most cost effective way to provide comprehensive, affordable health care to all residents of Colorado.
WHEREAS, a state or national health care financing system should set compensation for licensed health care providers at levels that will attract and retain highly talented professionals; and
WHEREAS, patients should have access to qualified providers without the limitations of In-Network and Out-of-Network structures.
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically demonstrated the failings of our current patchwork of health care programs serving Denver and the nation; and
WHEREAS, a comprehensive national health care system should negotiate the prices for all prescription drugs as is done in all other developed countries; and
WHEREAS, health care should be pre-paid by monthly premiums and other taxes, based on one’s ability to pay, without deductibles or copayments that create barriers to care.
WHEREAS, the Denver City Council believes an Improved Medicare for All model for financing health care can address all the criteria and concerns listed above; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER:
Section 1. That the Denver City Council hereby urges the Governor of Colorado, our state legislators and our congressional representatives to actively support legislation such as SB 4204, the Medicare for All Act of 2022 and calls on our state and federal legislators to work toward the immediate enactment of this, or substantially similar pieces of state or federal legislation, that results in comprehensive, affordable health care for all Denver residents and is funded by a not-for-profit, single payer system.
Section 2. That a copy of this resolution should be sent by the City Council President to the Governor of Colorado, our state legislators, and our federal elected representatives.
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL Oct. 24, 2022
Thanks, CO M4A cosponsors US Reps. Joe Neguse, Diana DeGette and Ed Perlmutter!
