Politics & Government

Board of Supervisors Pass Healthcare Proclamation Proposed by Supervisor Wilma Chan

The proclamation focuses on Medicare and Medicaid services and recognizes the significance of healthcare jobs.

By Sarah Hersh

Continuing her work on healthcare issues, Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan recently brought a proclamation before the Board of Supervisors that highlights the local need for Medicare and Medicaid services.

The proclamation also states the County’s support for patients and recognizes the importance of healthcare jobs. 

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The proclamation, which was passed by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors with unanimous support, is a message to California’s Congressional Delegation to protect the essential services that Medicare and Medicaid provide. 

“Cuts to essential programs like Medicare and Medicaid would be very harmful at a time when many Alameda County residents are struggling to make ends meet,” said Chan. “Already, the State of California has made severe cuts to healthcare providers and to services that people depend on. Protecting Medicare and Medicaid is essential for California’s seniors, children, and people with disabilities.”  

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The proclamation notes that Medicare and Medi-Cal — California’s Medicaid program — generate millions of jobs. In fact, in California more than one of every 10 jobs is in the healthcare sector.

The proclamation also notes that millions of children, the elderly and people with disabilities rely on healthcare provided through Medicare and Medi-Cal.    

The proclamation was passed by the Board of Supervisors last Tuesday, Nov. 22, prior to the Congressional Super Committee’s deadline to produce a proposal to reduce the nation’s debt. 

The full text of the proclamation is as follows:

Every Patient Matters, Heathcare Jobs Matter: Our County Cannot Afford Cuts to Medicare and Medi-Cal

WHEREAS, by November 23, 2011, a Congressional “super committee” must come up with a proposal to reduce our nation’s debt by $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years; and

WHEREAS, we want to be sure our nation’s elected leaders protect the healthcare services Americans are counting on and work to create good jobs, not cut America’s healthcare safety net; and

WHEREAS, so many in our county are struggling to find work and have been affected by the worst economic downturn in our lifetimes; and

WHEREAS, Medicare and Medi-Cal generate millions of good jobs in the healthcare sector and beyond; and

WHEREAS, more than 1 of every 10 jobs in California is in the healthcare sector and for every $1 million in Medicaid cuts 17 jobs would be lost; and

WHEREAS, we believe the health of our community is vitally important; and

WHEREAS, millions of children, the elderly and people with disabilities rely on healthcare provided through the federally-funded Medicare and Medicaid (Medi-Cal) programs established in 1965; and

WHEREAS, the State of California and the County of Alameda have already made massive cuts to healthcare providers and to services for children, the elderly and citizens with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the cost of healthcare for California residents continues to rise, putting further strain on our state, counties and cities.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that this Board of Supervisors, County of Alameda, does hereby proclaim that the County of Alameda stands in support of quality healthcare in our community, believes that every patient matters and that healthcare jobs and the people who hold them are important to our community’s well-being, believes it is important to maintain adequate funding for the healthcare industry to ensure that it can continue to create jobs and contribute to our economic recovery, and that the County of Alameda will send a message to the entire California Congressional delegation with the message: Protect Medicare and Medicaid.


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