Drafter
Clerk 05/07/2010
Title
A MOTION supporting the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Body
WHEREAS, in King County, over one hundred fifty thousand residents, more than twelve percent of the population, do not have health insurance, and
WHEREAS, the lack of health insurance is a major barrier for King County residents in obtaining needed and preventative health care, and
WHEREAS, the inability to access affordable health care in a timely manner leads to uninsured individuals delaying and deferring care until an ailment becomes an emergency, which is more costly and leads to worse health outcomes, and
WHEREAS, through Public Health - Seattle & King County, King County provides a wide variety of health related services, including health care for low-income residents, with the goal of protecting and improving the health and well-being of all people in King County, and
WHEREAS, on July 16, 2009, the board of health of King County unanimously passed a resolution urging Congress to enact health reform with the principle of giving all people access to affordable, comprehensive health care services on an equitable basis so that all individuals can access the right care in the right place at the right time, and
WHEREAS, the federal Patient Protection and Care Act will benefit King County residents by: providing access to insurance for uninsured individuals with preexisting conditions; prohibiting health insurance companies from imposing preexisting condition exclusions on children's coverage; extending dependent coverage to young people up to age twenty-six; strengthening community health centers; and providing tax credits to small businesses that contribute to provide health insurance to employees;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. King County recognizes that the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will directly benefit many King County residents that lack health care insurance or are underinsured.
B. King County supports the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as advancing the goal of all people having access to affordable, comprehensive health care services on an equitable basis.
C. King County supports Washington state Governor Christine Gregoire's position that the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is in the interests of the state of Washington, and opposes Washington state Attorney General Rob McKenna's participation in a
lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act purportedly on behalf of the state of Washington.