WHEREAS Article 25 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets forth that “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control” establishes a fundamental right to healthcare;
WHEREAS, the Declaration of Independence, a foundational document of the Constitution of the United States, declares the responsibility of government to protect certain unalienable rights which include but are not
limited to the preservation of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” we conclude that healthcare is a prerequisite for the latter, and as such is indeed a human right;
WHEREAS 522,000 Washington State Residents have no health coverage, more are underinsured, and lives could be saved by ensuring access to healthcare;
WHEREAS the 2018 platform of the Washington State Democratic Party affirms that “healthcare is a basic human right,” and that “An affordable universal single-payer system (provides) the most equitable and effective
health care, serving both individual and public healthcare needs” and;
WHEREAS the 2018 State Democratic Party Platform calls on “Washington State to establish a single-payer system for Washington residents until such time as a single-payer system is enacted nationally;”
WHEREAS a single-payer resolution was adopted by the Washington State Democratic Central Committee in April of 2017;
WHEREAS people of color, people with disabilities, and low income people are the most likely to lack affordable, comprehensive healthcare;
WHEREAS Whole Washington has crafted a bill5 guaranteeing universal healthcare to all Washingtonians, with a funding mechanism devised by a noted economist, reviewed by the Department of Revenue and the Employment Securities Department, which demonstrates that Washington state residents will save billions of dollars annually when universal healthcare is implemented;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the 21st Legislative District Democrats endorse Whole Washington state universal healthcare initiative;
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the 21st Legislative District Democrats will provide membership contact information to Whole Washington and the 21st Legislative District Democrats will use its mailing list and online presence to mobilize voters and collect signatures;
THEREFORE, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT the upon adoption of this resolution, it be sent to the Edmonds and Mukilteo Beacon, the Daily Herald of Everett, the Triton Review, My Edmonds News, and all local representatives.
http://www.un.org/en/udhrbook/pdf/udhr_booklet_en_web.pdf
http://www.wa-democrats.org/sites/wadems/files/documents/Washington%20State%20Democrats%20-
%20Platform%20-%20160618.pdf
https://www.wa-democrats.org/sites/wadems/files/resolutions/WSDCCRES%20-%20817%20-
%20170422%20-%20PASS%20-%20HEA%20-%20Single%20Payer.pdf)
http://www.epi.umn.edu/let/nutri/disparities/causes.shtm
http://www.wholewashington.org/faqs