HR0740 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0740 LRB096 15299 AJO 30411 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, At present the debate over federal health care reform legislation, while generating intense debate, nonetheless appears to include a substantial consensus on several key points: reduce the long-term growth of health care; protect families from bankruptcy because of health care costs; invest in prevention and wellness; improve patient safety and quality of care; assure affordable, quality health insurance coverage for all Americans, including those who change jobs or lose their jobs; and eliminate pre-existing medical condition insurance restrictions; and

WHEREAS, A significant part of the debate over health care reform legislation revolves around whether to include a public option which would be an insurance plan operated by the federal government that would negotiate payment rates with doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers; and

WHEREAS, Supporters of a public option assert that it would benefit consumers because it would save money since it would not need to produce a profit, operate with lower overhead, use the government's bargaining power to negotiate payments to hospitals and doctors, and hold insurance companies accountable through choice and competition; and

WHEREAS, Currently the most discussed legislative proposal includes a public option operated by the federal government which would permit a state to opt out of participating in the public option by adopting a law to that effect; and

WHEREAS, It is important that the citizens of Illinois know that their elected officials serving in the House of Representatives: share their concerns about the availability and affordability of quality health care services and comprehensive health insurance; and wish to communicate their determination, if faced with federal health care reform laws that include a public option and a state opt out provision, to act to maintain the availability of a public option for Illinois residents, whether that be by refusing to opt out or by creating an public option for Illinois residents as part of any legislation that opts out of the national program; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that that we urge the United States Congress to adopt meaningful health care reform legislation that completely addresses the key points upon which there is broad consensus; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the members of the House of Representatives, if faced with federal law that provides for a public option with an option for states to opt out, will decline the opt out option or, if the opt out provision is exercised, create a public option for Illinois residents; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to President Obama, the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, and to each member of the Illinois congressional delegation.