HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
34 |
TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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RESOLUTION
urging the state to achieve universal health care by 2012.
WHEREAS, the cost of health care and long-term care, insurance premium costs, and prescription drug costs in Hawaii and the nation are escalating exponentially; and
WHEREAS, we are fortunate to be a healthy state whose citizens live longer, yet it also means that we have a rapidly aging society requiring more health care; and
WHEREAS, an increasing financial burden is placed on businesses, especially small businesses, because of the rapidly increasing costs of health insurance premiums; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act (PHCA) of 1974 is to provide health care coverage for most of Hawaii's citizens; and
WHEREAS, although PHCA served its purpose at the time it was created and many years thereafter, Hawaii currently has a large number of uninsured; and
WHEREAS, the cost of health insurance coverage is increasing not only for employees of private-sector businesses, but also for public employees and retirees, who actually pay more out-of-pocket for health insurance coverage because the State of Hawaii, as an employer, is exempt from PHCA; and
WHEREAS, while Medicaid and QUEST provide health coverage for some of the uninsured, coverage is usually minimal and there is still a "gap group" that is neither insured nor eligible for Medicaid or QUEST; and
WHEREAS, as health care costs escalate, hospitals and nursing homes suffer massive financial losses, in part because of inadequate reimbursement rates that do not even cover the actual cost of care; and
WHEREAS, a decade ago, Hawaii led the nation in having the highest rate of insured individuals, but has since dropped to tenth, with over 120,000 uninsured individuals; and
WHEREAS, a solution needs to be provided soon to prevent a further increase in the number of uninsured, and to prevent increased state Medicaid and other health care costs; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the Senate concurring, that the State is urged to achieve universal health care by the year 2012; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Human Services, and Director of Health.
OFFERED BY: |
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Report Title:
Urging the State to achieve universal health care by 2012.