Essex County Commissioners Pass ‘Medicare For All’ Resolution
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The Essex County Board of County Commissioners passed a symbolic resolution in support of “Medicare for All” last week, throwing their support behind a pair of health care bills currently before the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Healthcare is a human right that should be guaranteed to all U.S. residents,” the board members said in a joint statement about the resolution.
The nonbinding resolution was initiated by Brendan Gill, board president, and Patricia Sebold, commissioner at-large. It passed unanimously on Sept. 9.
According to the board of commissioners:
“The Medicare for All Act of 2019, if signed into law, would improve and expand the current Medicare program, and give all Americans guaranteed access to healthcare with comprehensive benefits. The Healthcare Emergency Guarantee Act of 2020, introduced to address health concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to pay the out-of-pocket expenses of all individuals receiving COVID-19 treatments. Specifically, the Act covers the costs for services provided to uninsured individuals, the out-of-pocket costs to individuals with public or private health insurance, as well as cost of prescription drugs and care related to COVID-19. The coverage would begin on the date of enactment of this bill, and last until a COVID-19 vaccine is widely available to the public.”
Gill said the board supports both pieces of legislation, adding that they would boost the quality of life for local residents.
“There are specific components of the both acts that will directly affect Essex County residents in a positive way,” Gill said. “ Items such as the elimination of copays, the elimination of out-of-pocket costs, and the provision of COVID-19 related treatments for all uninsured Americans.”
“These measures will save us money as a county, strengthen our healthcare systems, and protect our most valuable resource - our citizens in need of care,” Gill said. “We thank our progressive allies in Congress for advocating on behalf of our residents in need of these services.”
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This article originally appeared on the West Orange Patch
