10d9
<PRE>[DOCID: f:sc94is.txt]






107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 94

 Expressing the sense of Congress that public awareness and education 
about the importance of health care coverage is of the utmost priority 
and that a National Importance of Health Care Coverage Month should be 
          established to promote that awareness and education.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 24, 2002

    Mr. Wyden (for himself and Ms. Collins) submitted the following 
   concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
                               Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of Congress that public awareness and education 
about the importance of health care coverage is of the utmost priority 
and that a National Importance of Health Care Coverage Month should be 
          established to promote that awareness and education.

Whereas census estimates indicate that some 42,000,000 people in the United 
        States are without health insurance coverage, many of whom are among the 
        most vulnerable and can be financially devastated by serious illness, 
        disease, or accident;
Whereas studies have shown that people with health insurance are healthier than 
        those who are uninsured and receive care through emergency rooms or 
        safety net health care services, because the insured are entitled to, 
        and receive, more preventive care, follow-up care, and care for chronic 
        conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure;
Whereas over 17,300,000 of the uninsured are employed but are not offered health 
        insurance through their employers;
Whereas such employers are small business owners who are often unaware of the 
        benefits of offering health insurance, including that such benefits are 
        tax deductible, reduce employee turnover, and reduce employee sick days;
Whereas over 16,000,000 people in the United States, more than \1/3\ of the 
        uninsured, are in families where at least 1 member of the family has 
        been offered employer based health care coverage but has declined 
        coverage;
Whereas many individuals are eligible for public assistance programs such as the 
        State Children's Health Insurance Program, known as SCHIP, and the 
        medicaid program, but are not currently enrolled due primarily to lack 
        of outreach, education, and accessible enrollment processes;
Whereas studies have shown that many individuals and small businesses are 
        unaware of the various options they have for obtaining affordable health 
        care coverage;
Whereas surveys have shown that many individuals who cite expense as the reason 
        for not purchasing insurance find insurance affordable once they are 
        informed of the true cost of various options; and
Whereas education about health care coverage helps uninsured individuals and 
        employers understand the critical value of health insurance as a 
        preventive measure and the ways to keep their health insurance premiums 
        manageable once they have health care coverage: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) a National Importance of Health Care Coverage Month be 
        established to--
                    (A) promote a multifaceted educational effort about 
                the importance of health care coverage;
                    (B) increase awareness of the many available health 
                care coverage options; and
                    (C) inform those eligible for public insurance 
                programs on ways to access those programs; and
            (2) the President issue a proclamation calling on the 
        Federal Government, States, localities, citizens, and 
        businesses of the United States to conduct appropriate 
        programs, fairs, ceremonies, and activities to promote this 
        educational effort.
                                 &lt;all&gt;

0