Resolution 2018 - 01

Urging our U.S. senators to co-sponsor S.1804, for single-payer health care

WHEREAS the current Washington State Democratic Party platform expressly calls for a universal single-payer health care system to provide the most equitable and effective care for all; and

WHEREAS past Democratic state committees and state conventions, as well as this body, have adopted both platforms and serial resolutions in support of single-payer health care, with little visible response from our U.S. Senators; and

WHEREAS Republicans' continued attacks on the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) have increased the public's awareness of single-payer health care as an alternative, with over 50% of voters now supporting a single-payer system; and

WHEREAS the Republicans' recently enacted “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” contains a non-germane provision undermining the continued effectiveness of the ACA by repealing the “individual mandate” that had brought widespread nationwide enrollment in health insurance; and

WHEREAS in order to assure the provision of comprehensive health care as a human right, Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced U.S. Senate bill S. 1804, “The Medicare-for-All Act of 2017,” which would establish a universal single-payer program for improved and expanded health care for all residents of the United States; and

WHEREAS sixteen Democratic Senators immediately signed on as co-sponsors of S. 1804, but neither of our State's two United States Senators has yet done so; and

WHEREAS our State Democratic platform states, upfront and unequivocally: “In order to restore progressive democracy, we expect elected Democrats to be accountable and implement the principles of this platform, using all available legal and parliamentary procedures”;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell be strongly urged, in compliance with the State Democratic platform, to promptly join with other Democratic Senators as co-sponsors of S.1804, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be sent to Senators Murray and Cantwell, accompanied in each case by a letter inquiring as to their actions and intended actions in conformity herewith.

Adopted by the 32nd Legislative Democratic Organization on January 10, 2018.
Carin Chase, Chair