RESOLUTION SUPPORTING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE WHEREAS, many people are concerned about the future of health care as the 111" Congress of the United States secks a solution to health care reform; and WHEREAS, access to health care and the delivery of quality health services, particularly in rural and remote areas are of concern to many; and WHEREAS, the problem of health care access is particularly acute for the uninsured, under- insured, poor and disadvantaged; and WHEREAS, during this time of national debate on reform, Federal and State leaders have recognized that local governments serve a unique role in providing health care access by building and ing delivery systems that respect the unique needs of individuals throughout the community: WHEREAS, local efforts to provide aecess to health care include the endeavors of the Dare County Department of Public Health whose innovative and effective health care programs include prevention education, outreach, clinical care services, preparedness and environmental protection With services for infants, mothers, children, families and senior citizens; and WHEREAS, further local efforts to provide health care access include the life-saving efforts of Dare County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the services of Dare MedFlight, one of the few county-owned medical helicopters in the nation providing life-saving access to trauma centers and specialty hospitals throughout the region; and WHEREAS, many local community programs provide access to clinical and informational programs offered by Healthy Carolinians of the Outer Banks, the Community Care Clinic of Dare County and the cancer initiative partnership with UNC Health Care; and WHEREAS, Dare County through its health related departments and community partners secks to improve the health of its citizens with access to prevention and wellness programs that result in better health outcomes, increased productivity and reduced costs. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Dare County Board of Commissioners supports access to affordable, quality health care to all and encourages Congress to seek fair and practical solutions that will reduce health care costs and improve access to care. This the day of » 2009, Dare County Board of Commissioners By Game), (tle) ATTEST: (name), (title)