ADOPTED - AUGUST 25, 2009

Agenda Item No. 34

Introduced by the Human Services Committee of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO INCLUDE PUBLIC HEALTH AND LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AMONG THE ENTITIES ACKNOWLEDGED IN HEALTH REFORM

RESOLUTION #09-276

WHEREAS, in order for American communities to attain the best possible health, it is necessary to do more than provide health care services, it is necessary to prevent disease and death from occurring wherever possible in the first instance; and

WHEREAS, in order for American communities to attain the best possible health, effective preventive and health care services must be available to all regardless of their background, health status or ability to pay; and

WHEREAS, in order for American communities to attain the best possible health the entire range of community organizations including schools, neighborhood organizations, businesses, and others must be involved in health; and

WHEREAS, in order for American communities to attain the best possible health, it is necessary to reduce the cost of care and implement effective, low cost ways of preventing disease and death; and

WHEREAS, in Michigan, and many other states, county government is responsible under the law for protecting and ensuring the health of the public; and

WHEREAS, in Michigan, and many other states, local health departments are responsible for preventing the spread of disease through water, soils, food and other media; and

WHEREAS, in Michigan, and many other states, local health departments are responsible for ensuring primary prevention services like screenings, treatments and counseling are available to all; and

WHEREAS, in Michigan, and many other states, local health departments are involved in the direct delivery of health care services to low income and uninsured populations; and

WHEREAS, in Michigan, and many other states, local health departments collaborate with Federally Qualified Health Centers to deliver high quality health care to all, regardless of ability to pay, at a low cost to the taxpayers; and

ADOPTED - AUGUST 25, 2009

Agenda Item No. 34

RESOLUTION #09-276

WHEREAS, local health departments carry out their prevention and care delivery missions by working through and in partnership with a range of other organizations like other units of state and local government, schools, neighborhood organizations and businesses.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners calls upon the United States Congress to include public health and local public health departments in the definition of organizations included in health and health care reform.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that health reform, regardless of the level of health care coverage, must strengthen critical primary prevention services essential to preventing disease and death.  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that health reform should result in strengthening local community based and prevention activities including those delivered through and in partnership with local public health.  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that certified copies of this Resolution be forwarded by the County Clerk to Ingham County’s U.S. Congressional Delegation.

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HUMAN SERVICES:  Yeas:  Tennis, Davis, McGrain, Schor, Dougan, Vickers

Nays:  None         Absent:  None            Approved 8/17/09