HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 127-2021 (21-525)City of South San Francisco P.O. Box 711 (City Hall,
400 Grand Avenue)
South San Francisco, CA
City Council
Resolution: RES 127-2021
File Number: 21-525 Enactment Number: RES 127-2021
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SINGLE -PAYER
HEALTHCARE BY SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CITY
COUNCIL.
WHEREAS, every person in South San Francisco deserves high quality healthcare; and
WHEREAS, the number of Americans without health insurance before the COVID-19 pandemic
was still nearly 30 million, with more than 40 million Americans underinsured, despite important gains
made since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act; and
WHEREAS, the current COVID-19 pandemic has led to record levels of unemployment, loss of
employer-sponsored health insurance, a severely strained healthcare system, widespread illness, and
taken a profound toll on our community's mental health, all of which is placing significant demands on
our healthcare system, and
WHEREAS, many people delay seeking needed healthcare due to an inability to pay, leading to a
sicker and poorer population in the long run; and
WHEREAS, such a population is significantly more likely to develop serious illness if exposed
to COVID-19 and will subsequently face higher mortality rates from the disease; and
WHEREAS, the ever-increasing costs of healthcare, which are further elevated due to the
pandemic, may challenge our already strapped state and municipal budgets; and
WHEREAS,COVID-19 related treatment could cost uninsured patients tens of thousands of
dollars; and
WHEREAS, in order to equitably and effectively address the healthcare burden of the
COVID-19 crisis, we must urge the United States Congress and California State Legislature to expand
health insurance coverage to provide comprehensive coverage to every resident without any cost
sharing; and
WHEREAS, Single -Payer Healthcare would provide health insurance for every person for all
necessary medical care including prescription drugs; hospital, surgical and outpatient services; primary
and preventive care; emergency services; reproductive care; dental and vision care; and long-term care;
and
WHEREAS, Single -Payer Healthcare would provide coverage without copays, deductibles or
other out-of-pocket costs, and would slash bureaucracy, protect the doctor -patient relationship and assure
patients a free choice of doctors; and
City of South San Francisco Page 1
File Number: 21-525
Enactment Number: RES 127-2021
WHEREAS, recent polls show that a majority of Americans support Medicare for All; and
WHEREAS, Single -Payer Healthcare will guarantee that all residents of South San Francisco
will be fully covered for healthcare without copays, deductibles or other out-of-pocket costs, and would
save millions in taxpayer dollars now spent on premiums that provide often inadequate health insurance
coverage for government employees; and
WHEREAS, the quality of life for the residents of South San Francisco will vastly improve
because they would be able to get the ongoing care they need, instead of waiting until they have a
medical emergency that could upend their lives as well as further burden local resources.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the South San Francisco City Council urges the
United States Congress and the California State Legislature to enact emergency legislation to provide
universal, comprehensive health coverage with zero cost-sharing for patients during this crisis and
enthusiastically supports Single -Payer Healthcare and calls on our federal and state legislators to work
toward its immediate enactment, assuring appropriate and efficient healthcare for all residents.
At a meeting of the City Council on 6/23/2021, a motion was made by Councilmember Coleman, seconded
by Vice Mayor Nagales, that this Resolution be approved. The motion passed.
Yes: 5 Mayor Addiego, Vice Mayor Nagales, Councilmember Nicolas, Councilmember
Coleman, and Councilmember Flores
Attest by M L L
R a Govea Acosta, City Clerk
City of South San Francisco Page 2