S.C.R. 6

1

RESOLUTION URGING STATES RIGHTS TO
2 INNOVATE HEALTH CARE
3 2007 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Gregory S. Bell
6 House Sponsor: ____________
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor urges the United States
11 Congress to pass “The States' Right to Innovate in Health Care Act” during the current
12 congressional session.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 . urges the United States Congress to consider and pass “The States' Right to
16 Innovate in Health Care Act” during the current congressional session; and
17 . urges the members of Utah's congressional delegation to cosponsor and actively
18 pursue passage of this legislation.
19 Special Clauses:
20 None
21
22 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
23 WHEREAS, the 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution reserves to the
24 states powers not delegated to the federal government;
25 WHEREAS, health policy powers are not delegated to the federal government by the
26 United States Constitution;
27 WHEREAS, Congress has enacted laws and budgets which substantially restrict the

28 states from setting effective health policy;
29 WHEREAS, federal health policy leaves more than 46 million Americans, including
30 400,000 Utahns, without health insurance;
31 WHEREAS, numerous states have been actively searching for appropriate solutions to
32 the problem to meet the specific and highly individualized needs of their particular state;
33 WHEREAS, the vast majority of uninsured Utahns are either employed, or dependent
34 upon someone who is employed, and are therefore paying taxes which support federal, state,
35 and local health programs;
36 WHEREAS, the increase in Utah's uninsured rate was seven times the increase in the
37 national rate during 2004-05, much of this owing to the fact that Utah's economy is dominated
38 by small businesses;
39 WHEREAS, health care costs consume approximately 16.5 % of the gross domestic
40 product, up from 5% in 1960 and 9% in the 1980s;
41 WHEREAS, tax revenues make up the majority of the budget for health care in the
42 United States, which at more than $6,300 per person in 2004, substantially exceeds any other
43 nation's health care expenses;
44 WHEREAS, businesses in the United States are facing runaway inflation in health care
45 costs, currently 7.7 % annually, with the inflation rate consistently in excess of three times the
46 core inflation rate;
47 WHEREAS, between 2000-04 Utah businesses saw premium increases that were five
48 times the increase in earnings;
49 WHEREAS, to compete in a global economic environment, Utah's businesses will need
50 a dependably healthy workforce at a controllable cost;
51 WHEREAS, the current health care delivery system in the United States and in Utah is
52 stunningly inefficient and wasteful;
53 WHEREAS, for example, administrative overhead wastes as much as 15-20% of health
54 system revenues;
55 WHEREAS, Congress has not been able or willing to pass effective health policy
56 legislation;
57 WHEREAS, states, given relief from the burden of unnecessary federal health
58 regulation while retaining present federal health funding, could effectively organize needed

59 health services for all residents;
60 WHEREAS, Utah has unique advantages with respect to demographics, healthy and
61 active lifestyles, and health care delivery systems that lend themselves to a state-based health
62 care financing solution; and
63 WHEREAS, legislation was introduced in the 109th Congress in September 2005
64 entitled "The States' Right to Innovate in Health Care Act" and is expected to be reintroduced
65 in the near future:
66 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
67 Governor concurring therein, urge the United States Congress to pass "The States' Right to
68 Innovate in Health Care Act" during the current congressional session.
69 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge the
70 members of Utah's congressional delegation to cosponsor and actively pursue passage of this
71 legislation.
72 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the President of
73 the United States, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United
74 States House of Representatives, and to the members of Utah's congressional delegation.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-25-07 9:09 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel