Endorsement of H.R. 676, The United States National Health Care Act

WHEREAS, it is ethically unjustifiable for physicians and other healthcare professionals to base their care professionals to base their care of ill patients upon their ability to pay; and

WHEREAS, in 2007, 45.7 million non-elderly Americans were without health insurance, i.e. spent 10% or more of their income on health care; and

WHEREAS, the number of uninsured and underinsured Americans has grown steadily during this decade; and

WHEREAS, the financial burden of illness causes half of all bankruptcies in the United States; and

WHEREAS, both large and small businesses find purchasing health insurance for their employees increasingly unaffordable; and

WHEREAS, high health insurance premiums contribute to the most individuals filing bankruptcy; and

WHEREAS, in 2004, the United States ranked 43rd in total expectancy in the world and ranked near the bottom of healthy life expectancy at the age of 60 by the World Health Organization; and

WHEREAS, for-profit insurance and pharmaceutical companies enjoy profit margins well above the average Fortune 500 company that combined with overhead accounts for over 30% of each health care premium dollar spent; and

WHEREAS, the current system of health care in the United States limits patients using their healthcare providers; and

WHEREAS, in 2001, Congressed passed House Concurrent Resolution 99 promising that all Americans would enjoy a system of health care that ensures affordability, cost efficiency, comprehensive benefits, elimination of disparities to access, continuity of coverage, and ease of use for patients. Providers and practitioners with legislation to be enacted by 2004 to create such a system; and

WHEREAS, in 2006, after two years of input from Americans throughout the country the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report to President Bush recommending a healthcare system that by 2012 makes health care affordable for all Americans, guarantees financial protection against very high health care cost, fosters integrated community health networks, defines core benefits and services for all Americans, promotes quality and efficiency of care, and fundamentally restructures the way end-of life services are financed and provided; and

WHEREAS, ―consumer driven health care‖ shifts cost to the sick that can least afford needed health care and health savings accounts add additional cost to the health care system by creating financial firms to manage those accounts; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. GAO has estimated the savings from converting to a National Health Insurance system at 10% of health spending, over $210 billion in 2007, which is enough to cover the uninsured and to improve coverage for all those who now are uninsured; and

WHEREAS, United States Representative John Conyers has introduced H.R. 676, The United States health Care Act, which as of April, 2009 had been co-sponsored by 74 members of the 111th U.S. Congress besides Mr. Conyers; and

WHEREAS, enactment of H.R. 676 would assure universal coverage of all medically necessary services to all Americans.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People endorses H.R. 676, the United States Health Care Act, which would allow all Americans to enjoy the benefit of a fine health care system in the world with the providers of their choices; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that such a National Health Insurance system would collect premiums from individuals and businesses so that all would pay a fair share of the financing of the public health insurance system; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the only role for government in such a system would be to collect such premiums; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Medicare A/B/D/C and Medicaid would be combined to form such a National Health Insurance system to further reduce administration costs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that benefits and reimbursements would be assessed and operations would be directed by a consortium consisting of an equal number of representatives from the American Medical Association, the American Nursing Association, and Consumers Union; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the amount of money allocated to the National Health Insurance system in future years remain equal to the amount allocated to our current system in 2009 dollars adjusted for inflation or percentage of GOP, whichever is higher; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP reaffirmed its policy on National Health Care programs and a comprehensive public healthcare option which provides access to affordable, quality healthcare for all Americans, as well as reaffirming its support for the HR 676 (National Health Insurance Program); and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that uncovered services would continue to be purchased by individuals through private insurances or cash payments in a free market system with transparent pricing, which in turn would spur competition and the creation of innovative technologies.