LATE ADOPTED - MARCH 11, 2003

Agenda Item No. 27

Introduced by the

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT HEALTH CARE FOR THE UNINSURED WEEK

RESOLUTION #03-68

WHEREAS, more than 40 million Americans are without health insurance at any point in time; and

WHEREAS, more than 75 million Americans are without health insurance at some point during the year; and

WHEREAS, research has shown that those without health insurance avoid or delay necessary health care, leading to more severe health problems, higher cost and much human suffering; and

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners has established a policy priority to assure that all Ingham County residents have access to an organized system of health care; and

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners has supported the work of the Capital Area Health Alliance "Access to Healthcare Committee" and has adopted the Action Plan for an Organized System of Care in the Capital Area; and

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners has supported the development of the Ingham Health Plan Corporation and the resulting health plan coverage for 15,000 uninsured Ingham County residents; and

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners continues to support work by the Health Department, by the Capital Area Health Alliance, by the Ingham Health Plan Corporation and others to provide health care coverage to the remaining uninsured.

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners contract with the Ingham Health Plan Corporation to provide outreach workers through the following organizations: Allen Neighborhood Center, Wexford Neighborhood Network Center, Greater Lansing African American Health Institute and Mestizo Anishnabe Health Alliance to assist the uninsured with access to health care.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners join with people and organizations across the nation to encourage state legislatures and Congress to develop and support programs and funding that will assure health care coverage for all Americans.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board reaffirms its commitment to the goal of assuring that all Ingham County residents have access to an organized system of health care.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board reaffirms its support to the work of the Ingham Health Plan Corporation and the Capital Area Health Alliance as these organizations work to develop community support and to implement programs to provide organized health care services for uninsured persons.

SS\ Celentino, Dedden, De Leon, Grebner, Hertel, Holman, Lynch, Minter, Nevin, Schafer, Schor, Severino, Stid, Swope, Thomas, Weatherwax-Grant