A resolution in support of H.R. 3421 & S.B. 1655, the “Medicare for All Act of 2023 “

Whereas: H.R. 3421 was introduced in the 118th Congress on May 17, 2023. H.R. 3421

would institute a single-payer health insurance system in the U.S. by greatly improving the

current Medicare benefits package and expanding the program to cover all U.S. residents, and

Whereas: Under 3421 & 1655, Medicare for All would pay for all necessary medical expenses,

including prescription drugs, hospital, surgical, outpatient and emergency services, primary and

preventive care, dental, mental health, home health, physical therapy, rehabilitation (including

for substance abuse), vision, chiropractic and long-term care. H.R. 3421 & S.B. 1655 would end

deductibles and co-payments. Medicare for All would save between $310 billion to $450 billion

annually, “with the average American family seeing about $2,400 in annual savings,” by

negotiating

lower prices for prescription drugs and healthcare services while eliminating the overhead and

profits of the private health insurance industry, and

Whereas: According to the Center for National Health statistics, in 2019 there were nearly 33

million

Americans without health insurance in the U.S. Some post pandemic figures are projecting 42

million. Tens of millions more Americans are underinsured. A study published in the American

Journal of Public Health found that in 67% of U.S. bankruptcy filings (530,000 a year),

medically related financial issues — such as being unable to pay high bills or due to time lost

from work — contributed to the filers’ money problems, meanwhile, 68,000 needless deaths in

the U.S. occur each year due lack of adequate health insurance.

Whereas: In poll after poll, including those conducted by Northwest Indiana Medicare for All in

Gary and Highland, a strong majority of people from all political views favor Medicare

for All, and

Whereas: The 2017 AFL-CIO convention in S1. Louis passed a resolution unanimously

declaring that “we will support legislation that guarantees health care as a human right through

an improved Medicare for All.” The resolution also said the Medicare for All system “must

guarantee everyone can get the health services they need without exclusions or financial barriers

to care ” and

Whereas: Every person in [City/County/State] deserves high quality health care.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the [City/County] Council urges Congress to enact

emergency legislation to provide universal, comprehensive health coverage with zero cost-sharing

for patients during this crisis and enthusiastically supports the Medicare for All Act of 2023 (H.R.

3421 & S.B. 1655) and calls on our federal legislators to work toward its immediate enactment,

assuring appropriate and efficient health care for all residents of the United States.

,