RESOLUTION NO. 120909
Opposing any effort such as Proposition E to prohibit the
Governor or any state agency from establishing or operating state-based health
insurance exchanges.
WHEREAS,
a health insurance exchange is a Web-based marketplace for consumers to compare
benefits and prices and choose an insurance plan that best suits their needs;
and
WHEREAS,
exchanges provide buyers of health insurance, individuals and small businesses
access to quality, affordable choices for health coverage; and
WHEREAS,
Missouri ranks 26th among states of the nation in the percentage of its
residents with insurance coverage for health care; and
WHEREAS, there
are approximately 250,000 residents in the Kansas City area without health care
insurance and there are many others with limited health care access either
because they are underinsured or because they have high deductibles; and
WHEREAS, there
is a need to increase the number of persons with health insurance coverage for
preventive and primary health care services, oral and mental health coverage to
help contain health care costs; and
WHEREAS, the ballot measure, Proposition E, if approved, would
prohibit the departments and agencies of the state from cooperating with
federal departments that will, by existing federal law, be setting up a
“federally facilitated” or “partnership” exchange in Missouri; and
WHEREAS, the approval of Proposition E would create
barriers to implementation of existing federal law in the State of Missouri,
will affect the health of residents and may produce added expense to the state
and its taxpayers; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor and Council hereby oppose any effort such as
Proposition E to prohibit the Governor or any state agency from establishing or
operating state-based health insurance exchanges.
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