| Back to Index 32. Universal Single-Payer Health Care
WHEREAS each citizen’s “life, liberty and pursuit of happiness” depends upon maintaining health; and
WHEREAS a healthy economy depends upon a healthy and productive citizenry; and
WHEREAS the high cost of our present health system has left 46 million Americans without health insurance, forced 30 million to use emergency rooms in place of a family physician, and deprived millions of access to regular health care services; and
WHEREAS many families with access to health care are driven into poverty by the high cost of premiums and high deductibles and out-of-pocket costs; and
WHEREAS health insurance costs for small businesses have increased steadily since 1998 and are predicted to double over the next four years; and often force small businesses to hire part-time staff with no benefits, or to offering health insurance completely; and
WHEREAS insurance companies, being businesses, must work to protect and increase profits even when doing so is to the detriment of the very health care they are meant to make possible; and
WHEREAS the removal of the profit motive from the health care system would refocus the system on health; and
WHEREAS the U.S. pays more than all other industrialized countries for health care, but provides less coverage to fewer people; and
WHEREAS the General Accounting Office concludes that if the U.S. shifted to a single payer system of universal coverage, “the savings in administrative costs would be more than enough to offset the cost” of providing health care to everyone; now,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party support the establishment of a universal single payer, national health care system in the U.S.; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such a system be publicly financed, but privately delivered; allow people to choose their own health care providers; provide preventive health care, dental care, mental health care, and affordable prescription drugs; and make health care available to everyone regardless of pre-existing conditions, status of employment, or income level.
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