Travis County Commissioners Court
May 2, 2006
Item 6
6. Approve proclamation declaring may 1 through 8, 2006 as "cover the uninsured week" in Travis County. Mr. Hill, right.
>> should I read the proclamation.
>> yes, sir, thank you.
>> it reads: whereas nearly 46 million americans have no health care coverage, and Texas leads the nation with the highest rate of uninsured residents,ing estimated 5.4 million people are uninsured or roughly one out of every four people. Whereas contrary to what some believe, being uninsured does not necessarily mean being unemployed. 8 out of 10 uninsured americans either work or are in working families. Whereas many central texans either lack health insurance or -- or are underinsured, this affects us all because the situation leads to decreased productivity, caused by absenteeism and poor performance which in turn are costly to both employers and the economy. And whereas seton's family of hospitals has designated may 1 through 7, 2006, as cover the uninsured week in Austin/Travis County. Together was a community we can make a difference by bringing attention to this growing crisis and working to find a solution. Now there ever be it resolved that we the members of the Travis County Commissioners court do hereby proclaim may 1 through may 7th as cover the uninsured week in Travis County and encourage all residents to join the seton family of hospitals and other local organizations that and communities across the country in voicing concern to lawmakers about the lack of health coverage and asking them to help us provide more.
>> yes, sir.
>> that was added by this county judge. Move approval.
>> I thought it was, thank you.
>> good morning.
>> thank you, judge, thank you for helping us bring awareness to this issue. This is national cover the uninsured week in Travis County. Yesterday at the legislature there was a great celebration for the university and the national championship and if you think back to January the 1st, the rose bowl was full of people and from about the 50-yard line around to the side to mid-way through the end zone, about 25,000 people. That will be the number of people uninsured in that stadium. Among our community and our friends and relatives and colleagues about 25% are uninsured. So cover the uninsured week is a reminder that this is an issue and that we want to keep this in front of the legislature, bring attention to it and look for a st. Louis. A -- and look for a solution.
>> you will still mr. Hill, widely known throughout this great nation.
>> thank you, judge. I’m going to leave it at that [laughter]
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. Thank you very much.
>> thank you very much.
>> joe, you have this beautiful practice nation for seton. One of our great partners in many endeavors.
>> thank you very much.
>> good to see you again.
>> thank you.
>> thanks.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, May 3, 2006 11:17 AM