III
107TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. CON. RES. 271
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
MAY 8, 2002
Received and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the Congress that public awareness
and education about the importance of health care cov-
erage is of the utmost priority and that a National
Importance of Health Care Coverage Month should be
established to promote these goals.
Whereas census estimates indicate that some 42 million
Americans are without health insurance coverage, many
of whom are among the most vulnerable of American citi-
zens who can be financially devastated by serious illness,
disease, or accident;
Whereas studies have shown that people with health insur-
ance are healthier than those who are uninsured and
HCON 271 RFS
receive care through emergency rooms or safety net
health care services, because the insured are entitled to,
and receive, more preventive care, follow-up care, and
care for chronic conditions such as diabetes and high
blood pressure;
Whereas over 17.3 million of the uninsured are employed, but
are not offered health insurance through their employers;
Whereas such employers are small business owners who are
often unaware of the benefits of offering insurance, in-
cluding the fact that it is tax deductible, that it helps to
reduce employee turnover, and that it helps to reduce em-
ployee sick days;
Whereas over 16 million people, more than one-third of the
uninsured, are in families where at least one member of
the family has been offered employer based health care
coverage but has turned it down;
Whereas many citizens are eligible for public assistance pro-
grams such as the State Children’s Health Insurance
Program, known as SCHIP, and the Medicaid program,
but are not currently enrolled due primarily to lack of
outreach, education, and accessible enrollment processes;
Whereas studies have shown that many citizens and small
businesses are unaware of the various options they have
for obtaining affordable health care coverage;
Whereas surveys have shown that many individuals who cite
expense as the reason for not purchasing insurance find
it to be affordable once they are informed of the true cost
of various options; and
Whereas education about health care coverage helps unin-
sured citizens and employers to understand the critical
value of health insurance as a preventive measure, as well
HCON 271 RFS
as the ways to keep their health insurance premiums
manageable once they have health care coverage: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that—
(1) a National Importance of Health Care Cov-
erage Month should be established to promote a
multifaceted educational effort about the importance
of health care coverage, and to increase awareness of
the many available health care coverage options, and
should include efforts to inform those eligible for
public insurance programs of how to access those
programs; and
(2) the President should issue a proclamation
calling on the Federal Government, States, localities,
citizens, and businesses of the United States to con-
duct appropriate programs, fairs, ceremonies, and
activities to promote this educational effort.
Passed the House of Representatives May 7, 2002.
Attest:
JEFF TRANDAHL,
Clerk.