HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/17/2020 Item 18, Maraviglia
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Jamie Maraviglia <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Medicare for All Resolution
Good Morning,
Thank you for your time today. My name is Jamie Maraviglia and I am writing in support of the SLO City Council voting
on a resolution of support of HR 1384, The Medicare for All act. While I am not a resident of the City, I do work in San
Luis Obispo and my family makes frequent use of the hospitals within the City, as I have a child who was born with a
preexisting condition that requires frequent hospitalization. Because of this, I know that hospital prices in SLO are five to
nine times higher than Medicare has determined residents should be paying. (That is me who was interviewed in this
article.) When I have confronted our local hospitals about this fact, I have been told "that's just the cost of living in this
area."
Healthcare expenses are DRAINING the budgets of our community members. I spend over $30k a YEAR on healthcare
alone due to my sick child. It prevents me from doing and supporting many other local businesses and nonprofits
because literally all of my discretionary income goes to medical costs. The Medicare for All Act would provide relief for
literally all of our residents and help make our society more equitable, particularly for people of color.
Beyond the basics, Medicare for All will also save the City money. SLO's municipal budget is strained in part by the rising
cost of health insurance for its employees. The Medicare for All Act would reduce double-digit increases in health
insurance premiums to something much closer to the general rate of inflation. It's truly a win-win for both the
community and businesses.
Thank you for agreeing to consider this resolution and I hope you vote to support this item that could positively change
the lives of so many.
Jamie Maraviglia
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