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The State of Kentucky has become the first to endorse HR 676, the National Health Insurance Act. By unanimous voice vote, the Kentucky General Assembly passed a resolution on Feb. 7 calling on Congress to enact HR 676. The resolution directs the House clerk to send a copy of the official document to the Kentucky Congressional delegation and to President Bush.
The resolution cites a Harvard study that found Kentucky spent about 4 billion dollars on unnecessary bureaucracy, enough to provide coverage to all uninsured residents. It also states that 582,000 Kentuckians lack health insurance, while the state has raised Medicaid fees and reduced services.
HR 676 is also known as the Enhanced and Expanded Medicare for All Bill. The simple logic of solving the nation’s healthcare crisis by extending Medicare coverage to all Americans is gaining momentum across the nation. A comprehensive, universal, single payer system using existing private healthcare providers will provide tremendous savings in cost of care and improvements in the delivery of care.
Over 225 trade union organizations including 39 Central Labor Councils and 7 AFL-CIO state federations have endorsed Medicare for All. Progressive Democrats are active in congressional districts across the nation building support for HR 676 in union locals, churches, and Democratic Party committees, as well as organizing meetings with Congresspersons to discuss co-sponsorship of HR 676.
In many states local legislators are faced with the consequences of the failed healthcare system, as their constituents demand action. The Kentucky resolution can serve as a model for organizing state legislators to work for a national solution to the healthcare crisis. The Kentucky legislature has taken an unequivocal stand for national healthcare. Which state will be next?
Join our Issue Organizing Team working to End the Iraq War and Redirect Funding. Contact Diane@pdamerica.org.
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