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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