The Legislative District Caucuses/County Convention was held March 24, 2018 at Desert Hills Middle School. The platform was adopted. In addition the resolution supporting the initiative to create the nation’s first universal single payer health insurance system, originally passed at the March 15 General Membership Meeting, was adopted.
Resolution Supporting Whole Washington State Universal Healthcare Initiative (I-1600)
WHEREAS Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control establishes a fundamental right to healthcare”
WHEREAS the Declaration of Independence declares the responsibility of government to protect universal and “unalienable” rights to “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,” and health care is essential to life and to the pursuit of happiness
WHEREAS more than half a million people in our state are uninsured, more are underinsured, and lives could be saved by ensuring access to healthcare
WHEREAS the 2016 Platform of the Washington State Democratic Party affirms that “Health care is a basic human right,” and states that we must establish “An affordable universal single-payer system to provide the most equitable and effective health care, serving both individual and public health needs;
WHEREAS a single-payer resolution was adopted by the Washington State Democratic Central Committee in April of 2017
WHEREAS people of color, people with disabilities, and low-income people are the most likely to lack affordable, comprehensive healthcare
WHEREAS Whole Washington has crafted a ballot initiative guaranteeing universal healthcare to all Washingtonians, with a funding mechanism devised by a noted economist, which demonstrates that Washington state residents will save over $10 billion dollars annually when universal healthcare is implemented;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Whatcom County Democrats support Whole Washington state universal healthcare initiative (I-1600);
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Whatcom County Democrats will use its mailing list and online presence to mobilize voters and collect signatures;
THEREFORE, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT upon adoption of this resolution, Whatcom Democrats will publicize.
Adopted by unanimous vote at March 15, 2018 General Membership Meeting