|
2005 Seattle Elections General Elections Voters' Guide Health Care Advisory Ballot Measure Statement Against Too few people have access to health care insurance. Those who have it pay far too much. Everyone should have access to affordable, quality health care. These core problems with America's health care system must be fixed. But, should we -- indeed, can we -- fix those problems with more studies conducted by City politicians? Do we want people like those who brought you Seattle's monorail fiasco now turning their attention to universal health care? Should the City Council convene a panel of "experts" with your money? Should the Seattle City Council compile data, and conduct research for the purpose of advising or demanding action by state legislators and federal politicians -- all at great cost to City residents? If the City Council had any realistic chance of solving America's health care problems we'd be the first to demand action, but they don't. Yet all this convening of experts, compiling data and conducting research will cost money -- money we think the City Council should spend taking care of Seattle's real City business. City Council Resolution 30673 already calls upon the City's Labor-Management Health Care Committee "to investigate options" in providing health care to City employees. Resolution 30582 already establishes an "independent Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee." All, of course, at taxpayer expense. How many experts and committees does it take to just find less expensive drugs and health care plans for the City? If this advisory ballot passes, the City Council will not consult you about your health care needs. Instead, it will consult so-called "experts," and other health care industry professionals who work for pharmaceutical companies and who will explain why the City Council should endorse plans likely to put more money in the hands of the expert's corporate sponsors. Why should your money be spent on that? This advisory ballot is intended to "provide the residents of Seattle with an opportunity to speak with a unified voice in advising the City of Seattle." But, we don't need some "unified" voice created by wasting taxpayer resources. People interested in working on health care issues can simply pick up the phone and call up City Council members right now -- assuming City Council members can do anything about these problems. Please vote "NO" on the Health Care Advisory proposal. Our City Council has more important things to do with our money. Statement prepared by: The Libertarian Party of King County Rebuttal to Statement Against The current system of health care is failing. Last year Harborview Hospital alone provided over $90,000,000 of health care to the uninsured. This is a national issue that profoundly affects the lives of people in Seattle and the City alone cannot meet the need. More and more working men and women are without health care. The crisis has reached the point that we cannot afford to wait any longer. A strong yes" vote will be a message from this community for quality health care. A "yes" vote will add Seattle to the list of communities which are sending a strong message that we must have a solution. It's appropriate for our elected City representatives to concern themselves with the health care of the people of our City. Indeed, few if any civic responsibilities rank higher. Vote "Yes" to voice your support that everyone has a right to quality health care. Rebuttal prepared by: Will Parry, Steve Williamson, and Brian King |
|
|