2019 -- H 5612

========

LC001132

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE IMPACT,

BENEFITS, AND FISCAL RAMIFICATIONS OF CREATING A SINGLE-PAYER

HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Walsh, Ranglin-Vassell, Williams, Caldwell, and Kislak

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2019

     Referred To: House Finance

     WHEREAS, Single-payer healthcare is a healthcare system financed by taxes that covers

the costs of essential healthcare for all residents, with costs covered by a single public system

(hence "single-payer"). Alternatively, a multi-payer healthcare system is one in which private,

qualified individuals or their employers pay for health insurance with various limits on healthcare

coverage via multiple private or public sources; and

     WHEREAS, Single-payer healthcare systems pay for all covered healthcare-related

services by a single government or government-related source. It is a strategy employed by

governments to achieve several goals, including universal healthcare, decreased economic burden

of healthcare, and improved health outcomes for the population. Universal healthcare worldwide

was established as a goal of the World Health Organization in 2010 and adopted by the United

Nations General Assembly in 2015 for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of nine (9) members: four (4) of whom shall be members of the Rhode Island House of

Representatives, not more than three (3) from the same political party, to be appointed by the

Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the director of the department of health, or designee;

one of whom shall be a licensed physician, or designee; one of whom shall be the Lieutenant

Governor, or designee; one of whom shall be a representative of a state nursing association or

union, or designee; and one of whom shall be a member of a local chamber of commerce, or

designee.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly

resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu

of a legislator, provided that the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which

is entitled to the appointment consents to the member of the general public.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study of:

     (1) The benefits and ramifications/fiscal impact of creating a single-payer healthcare

system in the State of Rhode Island;

     (2) Determine the viability of creating a single-payer healthcare system in the State of

Rhode Island; and

     (3) Establish funding source for the single-payer healthcare system.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select a chairperson from among the

legislators.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House of Representatives no later than February 5, 2020, and said commission shall expire on

May 5, 2020.

========

LC001132

========

LC001132 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE IMPACT,

BENEFITS, AND FISCAL RAMIFICATIONS OF CREATING A SINGLE-PAYER

HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN RHODE ISLAND

***

     This resolution would create a nine (9) member special legislative study commission

whose purpose it would be to make a comprehensive study of the benefits, ramifications/fiscal

impact and cost of creating a single-payer healthcare system in the State of Rhode Island, and

who would report back to the House of Representatives no later than February 5, 2020, and

whose life would expire on May 5, 2020.

========

LC001132

========

LC001132 - Page 3 of 3