Resolution Supporting Whole Washington Health Trust

https://34dems.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Resolution-Reso-Pg-whole-wa-1024x1024.jpg 1024 1024 34th Democrats 34th Democrats https://34dems.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Resolution-Reso-Pg-whole-wa-1024x1024.jpg August 28, 2021 September 11, 2021

Approved by the membership at the 9/8/21 meeting.

PROPOSED Resolution Supporting Whole Washington Health Trust

WHEREAS Article 25 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets forth that “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control” establishes a fundamental right to healthcare1;

WHEREAS, in the Declaration of Independence, a foundational document of the Constitution of the United States, declares the responsibility of government to protect certain unalienable rights which include but are not limited to the preservation of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” we conclude that healthcare is a prerequisite for the latter, and as such is indeed a human right;

WHEREAS in Washington State, 498,000 have no health coverage and even more residents are underinsured, and lives could be saved by ensuring access to healthcare;

WHEREAS COVID-19 demonstrates that healthcare should not be tied to employment;

WHEREAS the 2020 platform of the Washington State Democratic Party affirms that “healthcare is a basic human right,” and that “An affordable universal single-payer system is essential to provide the most equitable and effective health care, serving both individual and public health needs2” and;

WHEREAS the 2020 State Democratic Party Platform calls on “Washington State to establish a single-payer system for Washington residents until such time as a single-payer system is enacted nationally;”

WHEREAS a single-payer resolution was adopted by the Washington State Democratic Central Committee in April of 20173;

WHEREAS people of color, people with disabilities, and low income people are the most likely to lack affordable, comprehensive healthcare4;

WHEREAS Whole Washington has crafted a bill5 (SB 5204), introduced by Senator Hasegawa and 6 other cosponsors, guaranteeing universal healthcare to all Washingtonians, with a funding mechanism devised by a noted economist, reviewed by the Department of Revenue and the Employment Securities Department, which demonstrates that Washington state residents will save billions of dollars annually when universal healthcare is implemented;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the [Enter Your Org] endorse the Whole Washington universal healthcare bill;

THEREFORE, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT the upon adoption of this resolution, it be sent to the Seattle Times, and all state representatives in the Washington Legislature.

Submitted by Jen Nye, member and co-lead of the Healthcare Policy Caucus.