HR0313

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, Families, large and small businesses, healthcare 
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providers, and State and local government in Illinois are 
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struggling to access the
quality, affordable healthcare that 
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they need to promote healthy
families and a healthy economy in 
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their State and nationally; and

 
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    WHEREAS, As a result of the national healthcare crisis, 
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health
insurance premiums in Illinois increased by 73% between 
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the years 2000 and 2007, while median earnings increased by 
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only 11%; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The Illinois median yearly wage in 2007 was 
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$27,330, while the average healthcare premium for a family was 
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$12,153; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Illinois employers spend an average of $9,071 per 
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year on
family coverage, paying 77% of the total cost of 
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premiums for family
coverage; and

 
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    WHEREAS, An average of 700 Illinoisans lose their health 
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insurance every day; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
 


 






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the time for a national solution to the American healthcare 
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crisis that threatens the economic and physical health of the 
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people of Illinois and people across the country is now; and be 
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it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That we recognize the urgent need for a national 
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solution to the healthcare crisis that meets key criteria for

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comprehensive health care reform set forth by President Obama 
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and
Health Care for America Now, including the following:

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        (1) affordable coverage and care, with premiums and 
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    out-of-pocket costs based on a family's ability to pay and 
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    a choice of providers that meets our families' needs from 
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    preventative care to care for serious illness; and
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        (2) a choice of health insurance plans, including the 
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    right to keep one's current insurance, choose another 
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    private plan, or join a public
health insurance plan; and
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        (3) equity in healthcare access, treatment, research, 
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    and resources to people and communities of color and the 
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    strengthening of health services in low-income 
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    communities; and
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        (4) a system in which government sets and enforces 
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    rules on insurance
company practices and charges, 
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    requiring them to put our healthcare
before their profits; 
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    and
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        (5) coverage that is predictable and affordable for 
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    working families,
retirees, and small businesses and other 
 


 






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    employers and that controls costs while improving quality, 
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    with measures such as: lowering administrative expenses, 
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    investing in preventive care, actively managing disease, 
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    setting standards for performance, reducing medical 
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    errors, and using the public's purchasing power to lower 
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    drug and other prices; and be it further
 
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    RESOLVED, That we encourage local governments, families, 
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providers, and businesses across Illinois to work together in 
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2009 with the newly elected President Obama, the Illinois 
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Congressional delegation, and the leaders of the U.S. Congress 
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to guarantee quality, affordable healthcare for everyone in our 
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State and across the country;  and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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delivered to President Obama, the Illinois Congressional 
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delegation, and the leaders of the U.S. Congress.