IV
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 99
Directing Congress to enact legislation by October 2004 that provides access
to comprehensive health care for all Americans.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 4, 2001
Mr. CONYERS (for himself, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. TIERNEY, Ms. LEE, Mrs.
CHRISTENSEN, Mr. BONIOR, Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. HILLIARD, Mr. HIN-
CHEY, Mr. NADLER, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. LEWIS
of Georgia, Ms. BALDWIN, Mrs. JONES of Ohio, Mr. FRANK, Mr. WAX-
MAN, Ms. MCKINNEY, Mr. LANGEVIN, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of Cali-
fornia, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mrs. MINK of Hawaii, Mr. OLVER, Mr.
THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. STARK, Ms. CARSON of Indiana, and Mr.
CAPUANO) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Directing Congress to enact legislation by October 2004 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;
•HCON 99 IH
Whereas 43 million Americans, including 10 million children,
are uninsured;
Whereas tens of millions more Americans are inadequately in-
sured, 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, particu-
larly communities of color;
Whereas health care costs continue to increase, jeopardizing
the health security of working families and small busi-
nesses;
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 2004 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;
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(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 serv-
ices;
(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 out-
comes;
(9) addresses the need to have adequate num-
bers of qualified health care caregivers, practi-
tioners, 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 fa-
cilities, including safety net providers;
(12) ensures continuity of coverage and con-
tinuity of care;
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(13) maximizes consumer choice of health care
providers and practitioners; and
(14) is easy for patients, providers and practi-
tioners to use and reduces paperwork.
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