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Health care measure on fall ballot

By John Larson

Tacoma Weekly
jlarson@tacomaweekly.com
Published on: July 12, 2007

Tacoma voters will weigh in on the national health care debate this fall.

Tacoma City Council passed a resolution July 10 that will place a proposition on the ballot in November urging "appropriate, high-quality health care that is accessible and available to all individuals," according to language from a ballot measure.

"The problem is the issue has become an ideological one," said Julio Quan.

"I am a great believer in change starting at the local level," said Victoria Olson.

The petition drive was co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Tacoma/Pierce County. Chapter President Lyz Kurnitz-Thurlow pointed out over 4,500 people signed the petition. "You are truly listening to the people when you pass the health care resolution," she remarked.

"This is the only way we can get everyone united and moving in the right direction," Dan Sexton said.

"The insurance companies basically ration who will be cared for and who will not," said Mary Smith of University Place.

Several doctors, nurses and other health care professionals testified in favor of the resolution. Many discussed the several patients they see who lack insurance, and others who avoid trips to the doctor because they can't afford to pay the bills.

Mary Kay Tomko, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, said many of her patients fall into those categories, and coverage for mental health care is disappearing from many health insurance plans.

She expressed concern about her two teenaged children who will lose the coverage they have from their parents in the near future. "They face the fact that many entry-level jobs offer no health insurance," Tomko said.

She said she is self-employed, and because of health problems can't obtain coverage on her own. She is grateful to be covered by the plan her husband has through his employer.

"Of course, he cannot leave his job, even though he is now eligible for retirement, because he would lose his health insurance," she remarked.

Tomko said Seattle City Council has passed such a resolution, and urged for the same in Tacoma. "Together we can make a difference."

Councilmember Julie Anderson sponsored the resolution. She said 29,000 Tacoma residents lack health insurance.

"It is important. It has momentum," Anderson said of public support for the issue, which she considered to be a non-partisan matter. "It doesn't presume what the answer should be. Sometimes it is our job to get out of the way and help push."

"This is something that all of us deserve and need," Councilmember Connie Ladenburg said of universal health coverage in the United States. She said she would support the effort completely, even if it requires "stomping up the stairs of the capital in Olympia and D.C."

She mentioned the experiences of several of her adult children who have found themselves without health insurance.

If the measure passes in November, the council will take action on a related resolution calling for it to push for health care for all at the state and federal levels.

"I know Tacoma citizens will overwhelmingly approve this," Anderson predicted.

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