Ballot in Seattle to contain statement on health

The Seattle City Council yesterday voted to put an advisory ballot before voters in November, asking them to endorse the principle that everyone in the U.S. should have "the right to health care of equal high quality."

The action came at the request of local union and health-care activists who favor a government-sponsored plan for universal health coverage.

Councilman Tom Rasmussen, who sponsored the ordinance placing the measure on the Nov. 8 ballot, noted the council had passed a resolution in support of universal health care last year.

The federal government didn't heed the council's advice.

"Unfortunately, as we all know, nothing has changed in the past year," Rasmussen said.

Beyond urging Congress to "immediately implement" legislation to guarantee health care for everyone, the ballot measure would have little practical effect.

Supporters, though, contend a statement by Seattle could lead other cities to endorse similar measures, putting pressure on the federal government to solve the nation's health-care woes.

"It will keep the issue in front of people and bring that idea to other cities," said Maureen Bo, a retired union activist and one of about 20 supporters who showed up to applaud the council action.

The council voted 9-0 in favor of sending the question to voters.

Councilman Peter Steinbrueck, sensitive to past criticisms of the council for leaping into controversies outside the purview of city government, said the health-care crisis was an appropriate subject for council action.

"There comes a time when we must take a principled stand," Steinbrueck said. "There is nothing frivolous about that."

The language of the advisory ballot was borrowed from a constitutional amendment proposed by Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., said Brian King, who organized the advisory-ballot effort for the advocacy group Health Care for All — Washington.

Besides asking voters for a symbolic statement, the ordinance approved yesterday calls for the city to convene a panel of experts to recommend ways city government and other local employers can "improve health-care access for the uninsured." It also calls for an annual city report on health-care statistics.

Marty McOmber, a spokesman for Mayor Greg Nickels, said the mayor agrees with the principle of universal access to health care, but was "not necessarily convinced" the advisory vote would have any impact.

Nevertheless, Nickels intends to sign the ordinance forwarding the measure to the November ballot. "He's not going to stand in the way of this," McOmber said.

Jim Brunner: 206-515-5628 or jbrunner@seattletimes.com