Whereas
More than 1 million people, or 31.4% of the population in Houston/Harris County have no health insurance and an additional 500,000 are underinsured; and
Whereas
Twenty-five percent of children in Houston/Harris County are uninsured and at least 50 percent of them are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP; and
Whereas
The vast majority of the uninsured in Houston/Harris County are working people and their dependents; and
Whereas
Hospital emergency rooms in Houston/Harris County provide significant care to non-emergent patients and are on diversion almost 25 percent of the time; and
Whereas
The chances of dying double when hospitals are on diversion, regardless of ability to pay; and
Whereas
When asked, 73% of Houstonians favor a health care system that would cover everyone;
Therefore, be it resolved that
Doctors for Change, a group of physicians and other health professionals, believes health care should be universal, affordable, accessible, accountable, comprehensive and just. We will organize to effect changes in the health care system in Houston/Harris County and to support community organizations that are working towards similar goals.
- The Greater Houston Partnership Public Health Task Force
- Ibid and Anne Dunkelberg, Center for Public Policy Priorities, “Lessons from CHIP and Medicaid” February 2006
The Greater Houston Partnership Public Health Task Force - Houston-Galveston Area Council Emergency Health Care System Study, December 2005
- C Begley, YC Chang, R Wood, University of Texas School of Public Health, “Hospital ED Diversion and Mortality: Evidence from Houston.” 2002
- S Kleinberg, The 2006 Houston Area Survey.