Resolution 1227RESOLUTION NO. 1227
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, URGING THE
WASHINGTON STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO ABANDON HIS LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THE
PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ENACTED INTO LAW ON MARCH 23, 2010,
AND AS AMENDED
WHEREAS, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("PPACK or "The Act") became law on March
23, 2010, and
WHEREAS, PPACA provides rebates to Medicare prescription drug plan beneficiaries after their initial
benefits run out; and
WHEREAS, the Act by July 1, 2010 will provide access to high -risk pools for people who have no insurance
because of preexisting conditions; and
WHEREAS, within six months after enactment, PPACA will bar insurers from denying people coverage when
they get sick and when they most need health care, will bar insurers from denying coverage to
children with preexisting conditions, will bar insurers from imposing lifetime caps on benefits,
and will require insurers to allow people under the age of 27 to remain as beneficiaries under
their parents' policies; and
WHEREAS, by 2011, PPACA will require individual and small group plans to spend at least 80% of their
premiums on medical services and will require large group plans to spend at least 85% of their
premiums on medical services; and
WHEREAS, the Act by 2013 will increase Medicare payroll taxes and dividend and interest taxes on the
wealthiest individuals in the United States making over $200,000 for individuals and $250,000
for joint filers; and
WHEREAS, the Act by 2014 will provide health insurance premium subsidies for families earning less than
$80,000 per year and require employers to provide coverage to all workers and require most
Americans to obtain insurance coverage or face penalties for remaining uninsured; and
WHEREAS, under the Act, the uninsured and self-employed would be able to purchase insurance through
state -based exchanges with subsidies available to individuals and families with income between
the 133 percent and 400 percent of poverty level; and
WHEREAS, the state of Virginia has commenced an action in the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Virginia seeking to invalidate and nullify the PPACA by alleging that the law violates
the Commerce Clause of the Constitution of the United States in that it requires individuals to
purchase health care insurance beyond the authority of the Congress of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Attorney General of the State of Washington has announced his intention to join a lawsuit
along with the Attorneys General from Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas,
Utah, Michigan, Nebraska and Colorado seeking to invalidate ; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. economy is currently struggling through a recession of historic magnitude, making
premiums for health care insurance more than many families can afford; and
WHEREAS, unemployment nationally and in Washington remains around 10%, making it financially
impossible for many families and children to obtain health insurance or basic medical care; and
WHEREAS, the residents of the City of Edmonds deserve the best health care possible without regard to
whether or not they can afford insurance premiums charged by health insurance companies;
and
WHEREAS, taxpayers within the City of Edmonds will be forced by the State Attorney General's action to
have their limited tax dollars used to challenge a health care program that is necessary and
beneficial for residents of the City of Edmonds;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON HEREBY
RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
The Washington State Attorney General should not join any lawsuit challenging the PPACA; and
The State of Washington should not devote any taxpayer dollars to attempting to nullify or invalidate the
PPACA; and
Copies of this Resolution will immediately be transmitted by the City Clerk toThe office of the Governor of the
State of Washington and the Attorney General of the State of Washington..
RESOLVED this 6th day of April, 2010.
STEVE BERNHEIM, COUNCIL PRESIDENT
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
CITY CLERK, SANDRA S. CHASE
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: 04-2 -2010
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL:
RESOLUTION NO.i�.?7