STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-ONE
_____
JOINT RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH A FEDERAL WAIVER PROCESS
FOR STATES TO ESTABLISH A UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE
PLAN
WE, your Memorialists, the Members of the One Hundred and Thirtieth Legislature of the
State of Maine now assembled in the First Special Session, most respectfully present and
petition the President of the United States and the United States Congress, as follows:
WHEREAS, the current system of health care coverage in the State does not provide
universal coverage for all Maine residents; and
WHEREAS, health care coverage is often unaffordable and causes financial strain for
many Maine residents; and
WHEREAS, every person in the State should have access to affordable and high-quality
health care; and
WHEREAS, there are significant barriers in federal law that affect the ability of individual
states to establish a universal health care plan to provide affordable and high-quality health
care to all residents; and
WHEREAS, these state efforts are also hindered by a lack of federal support and financing
to assist states interested in the establishment of a state-based universal health care plan; and
WHEREAS, proposed legislation was previously introduced in the 116th Congress, H.R.
5010, the State-Based Universal Health Care Act of 2019, and similar legislation is expected
to be reintroduced in the 117th Congress that would establish a federal waiver for states
interested in establishing a universal health care plan for residents; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That We, your Memorialists, on behalf of the people we represent, take this
opportunity to respectfully request that the President of the United States and the United States
Congress enact legislation to authorize states to obtain a state universal health care waiver; and
be it further
RESOLVED: That suitable copies of this resolution, duly authenticated by the Secretary
of State, be transmitted to the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States;
the President of the United States Senate; the Speaker of the United States House of
Representatives; and each Member of the Maine Congressional Delegation.
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