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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Families, large and small businesses, healthcare
3 providers, and State and local government in Illinois are
4 struggling to access the quality, affordable healthcare that
5 they need to promote healthy families and a healthy economy in
6 their State and nationally; and
 
7     WHEREAS, As a result of the national healthcare crisis,
8 health insurance premiums in Illinois increased by 73% between
9 the years 2000 and 2007, while median earnings increased by
10 only 11%; and
 
11     WHEREAS, The Illinois median yearly wage in 2007 was
12 $27,330, while the average healthcare premium for a family was
13 $12,153; and
 
14     WHEREAS, Illinois employers spend an average of $9,071 per
15 year on family coverage, paying 77% of the total cost of
16 premiums for family coverage; and
 
17     WHEREAS, An average of 700 Illinoisans lose their health
18 insurance every day; therefore, be it
 
19     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
20 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the time for a national

 

 

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1 solution to the American healthcare crisis that threatens the
2 economic and physical health of the people of Illinois and
3 people across the country is now; and be it further
 
4     RESOLVED, That we recognize the urgent need for a national
5 solution to the healthcare crisis that meets key criteria for
6 comprehensive health care reform set forth by President Obama
7 and Health Care for America Now, including the following:
8         (1) affordable coverage and care, with premiums and
9     out-of-pocket costs based on a family's ability to pay and
10     a choice of providers that meets our families' needs from
11     preventative care to care for serious illness; and
12         (2) a choice of health insurance plans, including the
13     right to keep one's current insurance, choose another
14     private plan, or join a public health insurance plan; and
15         (3) equity in healthcare access, treatment, research,
16     and resources to people and communities of color and the
17     strengthening of health services in low-income
18     communities; and
19         (4) a system in which government sets and enforces
20     rules on insurance company practices and charges,
21     requiring them to put our healthcare before their profits;
22     and
23         (5) coverage that is predictable and affordable for
24     working families, retirees, and small businesses and other
25     employers and that controls costs while improving quality,

 

 

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1     with measures such as: lowering administrative expenses,
2     investing in preventive care, actively managing disease,
3     setting standards for performance, reducing medical
4     errors, and using the public's purchasing power to lower
5     drug and other prices; and be it further
 
6     RESOLVED, That we encourage local governments, families,
7 providers, and businesses across Illinois to work together in
8 2009 with the newly elected President Obama, the Illinois
9 Congressional delegation, and the leaders of the U.S. Congress
10 to guarantee quality, affordable healthcare for everyone in our
11 State and across the country; and be it further
 
12     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
13 delivered to President Obama, the Illinois Congressional
14 delegation, and the leaders of the U.S. Congress.