FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 12, 2023

Alachua County Commission Votes to Adopt Resolution Supporting the Medicare for All Act

Contacts:
Candy Birch, Medicare for All Florida board member | (913) 219-2430 | candylwv [at] yahoo.com
Patrick Haley, President Students for a National Health Program UF chapter | (904) 860-2614 | patrickhaley59 [at] gmail.com
Dr. Gerald Stein, member Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) | gstein7 [at] cox.net
Dr. Bobby Mermer, ACLC Coordinator | (407) 914-8107 | info [at] laborcoalition.org

GAINESVILLE, FL - On Tuesday morning, the Alachua County commission voted to adopt a nonbinding resolution endorsing Medicare for All.

This effort was organized by Medicare for All Florida, Students for a National Health Program (SNaHP), Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) and the Alachua County Labor Coalition. Dozens and dozens of Alachua County residents also supported the resolution by signing a petition, which was submitted to the county commission. "We are happy to support Medicare for All," said Commission Chair Mary Alford, sponsor of the resolution, upon its unanimous passage.

The resolution supports federal legislation, H.R.3421, the Medicare for All Act of 2023, which has already been co-sponsored by a majority of House Democrats. The number of co-sponsors currently stands at 112.

“I am covered with Medicare myself right now, but I want my children and their children to have the same access and ability to receive all the healthcare they need,” said Candy Birch, a board member of Medicare for All Florida, a statewide nonprofit organization advocating for guaranteed healthcare for all. “When we successfully encouraged Key West and Gainesville to adopt a Medicare for All resolution, I felt that Alachua County should also be on the record in favor of Medicare for All.“

"Since 1999 the Alachua County Labor Coalition has worked tirelessly to win national single-payer health insurance through educating the public and policymakers alike on its benefits. Medicare for All would be a boon for working families across the country,” said Dr. Bobby Mermer, coordinator of the Alachua County Labor Coalition. “If a national single-payer insurance system is adopted, these families will no longer be tied to jobs they hate just to keep their health coverage. When tragedy strikes, they would be able to focus on caring for their loved ones instead of spending sleepless nights figuring out how to pay for their coinsurance or copayments. What's more, the overall cost of health care in the United States would shrink, finally putting the insatiable cash monster to sleep.”

“Almost half of people in Alachua County are either uninsured or underinsured causing restrictions in their ability to get recommended care. The bottom line is that a large proportion of Americans are sick and vulnerable while insurance companies profit,” said Patrick Haley, president of the University of Florida chapter of Students for a National Health Program (SNaHP). “The answer is Medicare for All. This means no more surprise bills, freedom to change doctors and choose hospitals, no more holding off going to the doctor for fear of your bill, and according to the Congressional Budgeting Office, higher wages, increased disposable income, and improved health and longevity.”.

The U.S. Bureau of the Census’ American Community Survey as of 2020 shows that 8.3% of non-institutionalized civilians in Alachua County had no health insurance, which means that an estimated 23,000 residents may be uninsured. And that does not count the many Alachua County residents who are underinsured, or have other problems receiving the care they need in the current healthcare system.

The full text of the Alachua County Medicare for All resolution is as follows:

Alachua County Medicare for All resolution

THE ALACHUA COUNTY COMMISSION IS CALLING ON FEDERAL LEGISLATORS TO ENACT H.R. 3421 AND S. 1655: MEDICARE FOR ALL ACT AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY CLERK TO PROVIDE COPIES OF THIS RESOLUTION TO FEDERAL LEGISLATORS REPRESENTING FLORIDA.

WHEREAS, every person in Alachua County, the State of Florida and the United States deserves high quality healthcare; and

WHEREAS, 27.6 million Americans have no health insurance, including over 2.6 million Floridians in 2021 (over 21,000 Alachua Countians); and

WHEREAS, almost half of Floridians (45%) including those who have insurance did not obtain needed health care such as filling prescriptions or seeing a doctor because of cost barriers, and about one-third of those who did get some needed healthcare struggled to pay their medical bills; and

WHEREAS, medical debt is the most common cause of bankruptcy, and

WHEREAS, since the Covid pandemic profits of insurance and pharmacological companies have continued to grow, while patients’ medical costs have continued to rise and many workers lost their jobs and their insurance coverage through becoming ill; and

WHEREAS, the United States spends more on healthcare than any other industrialized country, but has worse outcomes in many indicators such as life expectancy and infant mortality; and

WHEREAS, Medicare for All Act HR 3421 and S1655 would provide health insurance for every person in the United States covering all necessary health care including: hospital, surgical and outpatient services; primary and preventive care; prescription drugs; reproductive care; dental, vision and hearing care; mental health care; and long-term care; and

WHEREAS, Medicare for All Act HR 3421 and S1655 would provide coverage without premiums, copays, deductibles or other out-of-pocket expenses; and would assure patients of an unrestricted choice of doctors; and

WHEREAS, The Congressional Budget Office concluded in a recent report that Medicare for All would result in higher wages, increased household disposable income, improve workers’ health and longevity, and administrative waste in health care would be reduced, and

WHEREAS, Alachua County residents who are now uninsured or underinsured would enjoy a vast improvement in their quality of life, because they could obtain healthcare when they need it instead of delaying until they have a medical emergency; and

WHEREAS, members of the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to be uninsured or covered by Medicaid compared to non-LGBTQ+ individuals.

WHEREAS, enactment of HR3421 includes A Non-Discrimination clause based on gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy and related medical conditions (including termination of pregnancy) thus providing healthcare to members of the LGBTQ+ community and people requiring reproductive healthcare.

WHEREAS, universal health coverage as provided by HR3421 and S1655 would alleviate the lack of proper medical care for vulnerable communities including the unhoused, unemployed, people of color, people with low income; and

WHEREAS, enactment of HR3421 and S1655 includes that restrictions on the use of Federal Funds (as implemented by the Hyde Amendment of 2022) shall not apply to reproductive health services.

WHEREAS implementation of HR3421 and S1655 would provide coverage to all pregnant persons during and after the birth of their children.

WHEREAS, unbundling health insurance from employment would allow workers to leave unsatisfactory jobs without forfeiting insurance benefits; and

WHEREAS, recent polls show that a majority of Americans are in favor of the federal government ensuring American have healthcare coverage.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alachua County Commission supports the enactment of HR3421 and S1655 and all subsequent legislation that will assure appropriate and efficient health care for all residents; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Clerk is hereby authorized to send a certified copy of this resolution to Representative Kat Cammack, Senator Marco Rubio and Senator Rick Scott.