[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 99 Introduced in House (IH)]
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 99
Directing the Congress to enact legislation by October 2005 that
provides access to comprehensive health care for all Americans.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 18, 2003
Mr. Conyers submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Directing the Congress to enact legislation by October 2005 that
provides access to comprehensive health care for all Americans.
Whereas the United States has the most expensive health care system in the world
in terms of absolute costs, per capita costs, and percentage of gross
domestic product (GDP);
Whereas despite being first in spending, the World Health Organization has
ranked the United States 37th among all nations in terms of meeting the
needs of its people;
Whereas 42,000,000 Americans, including 8,000,000 children, are uninsured;
Whereas tens of millions more Americans are inadequately insured, including
medicare beneficiaries who lack access to prescription drug coverage and
long term care coverage;
Whereas racial, income, and ethnic disparities in access to care threaten
communities across the country, particularly communities of color;
Whereas health care costs continue to increase, jeopardizing the health security
of working families and small businesses;
Whereas dollars that could be spent on health care are being used for
administrative costs instead of patient needs;
Whereas the current health care system too often puts the bottom line ahead of
patient care and threatens safety net providers who treat the uninsured
and poorly insured; and
Whereas any health care reform must ensure that health care providers and
practitioners are able to provide patients with the quality care they
need: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
that the Congress shall enact legislation by October 2005 to guarantee
that every person in the United States, regardless of income, age, or
employment or health status, has access to health care that--
(1) is affordable to individuals and families, businesses
and taxpayers and that removes financial barriers to needed
care;
(2) is as cost efficient as possible, spending the maximum
amount of dollars on direct patient care;
(3) provides comprehensive benefits, including benefits for
mental health and long term care services;
(4) promotes prevention and early intervention;
(5) includes parity for mental health and other services;
(6) eliminates disparities in access to quality health
care;
(7) addresses the needs of people with special health care
needs and underserved populations in rural and urban areas;
(8) promotes quality and better health outcomes;
(9) addresses the need to have adequate numbers of
qualified health care caregivers, practitioners, and providers
to guarantee timely access to quality care;
(10) provides adequate and timely payments in order to
guarantee access to providers;
(11) fosters a strong network of health care facilities,
including safety net providers;
(12) ensures continuity of coverage and continuity of care;
(13) maximizes consumer choice of health care providers and
practitioners; and
(14) is easy for patients, providers and practitioners to
use and reduces paperwork.
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