Why Should We Care About: The Illinois Healthcare Referendum 2006?

Image reprinted with permission from the Science & Society Picture Library.

Text excerpted from Democracy Illinois' informational site on the Illinois Healthcare Referendum

The Goal: Put the following referendum on the 2006 State Electoral Ballot, and pass it:

"Shall the State of Illinois provide all state residents with full prescription benefits and the right to choose one's own doctors under a publicly financed comprehensive health insurance system?"

Why Is This Important To You?

Are you a resident of Illinois? Then you know that your health care is only as good as your employer’s plan. And you know that your good health is dependent largely on your ability to be employed. Given the fluid and unstable nature of our modern economy, this arrangement lacks the peace of mind you and your family deserve.

Are you a small business owner? Then you know that health care costs are skyrocketing almost daily. Health care costs constitute a larger percentage of your bottom line each quarter, making it harder for you to clear a profit and harder to attract loyal employees and keep them healthy. National health care is better for your bottom line.

Are you a large business owner? Then you are more than likely competing in the international market, against foreign companies that do not have to spend precious funds financing health care, because their governments do it for them. While you spend your profits on payroll costs, your competitors are spending their profits on R&D and passing savings along to their consumers. Can you really afford private health insurance in a global market?

For additional information, click here