KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo County Commissioners considered a “Medicare for All” on its first reading Tuesday night.
During a virtual meeting, several citizens called in to voice their support of the measure, which was what the majority of calls concerned.
“This is an issue that helps us move forward on some of the worst civil rights and inequality concerns that we face in our country,” citizen David Benac said. “This is a way that we can guarantee that everybody can get the treatment they need to be healthy, no matter who they are or where they are. This is an issue of leadership. This is a way that we can step forward, we can show leadership, we can show that Kalamazoo truly does believe in these values that we say we believe in.”
Benac also emphasized the importance of starting a measure like this from the County level.
“The reason we are advancing this to you and asking for your support is because we want to show that this has grassroots support in the County of Kalamazoo,” Benac said. “We want that to go forward to our state representatives and state senator, and we want them to take it forward to Congress so that we can show this is coming up from the bottom, and that this is what people want.”
The motion was introduced by Commissioners Stephanie Moore and Michael Quinn.
“I think, no matter your status or where you come from, everybody should have the tools necessary to make them a vibrant resident in a community, especially if they work for a business willing to employ them,” Moore said. “That business should also fight to make sure they can have health access, health care and health coverage.”
Some commissioners pointed out the shortfall for health care when it comes to people of color.
“The COVID pandemic has highlighted something we already knew here in Kalamazoo – health care is not provided equitably among all populations,” Commissioner Christine Morse said. “People of color suffer greater health care risks and live shorter lives. Babies of color die at much higher rates than white babies right here in Kalamazoo, we all know this. We passed a proclamation declaring that racism is a public health crisis, we should put our words to action and work to provide a system that works for everyone, regardless of the color of their skin or their socioeconomic status.”
Morse agreed that doing so would be a huge undertaking, but that the system itself needs to be overhauled.
“We have reached a point that the facts are undeniable,” Morse added. “Our health care system is broken, too many people are bankrupted right here in Kalamazoo and in our state by medical care. Too many people choose between life-saving procedures and medications they need and the rest of their household bills and food. Too many people risk their lives and financial health to go without paying for health insurance because it’s so expensive. No one should have to make choices like these.”
Ultimately, the proclamation was passed on its first read by the board.
A final reading and declaration is expected to take place at the next virtual County meeting later this month, which is scheduled for July 21 at 5 p.m.
