Whereas, More than 45 million Americans in 2004 were without health care coverage in the past two years; and,

Whereas, More than 8 million of those Americans without health care coverage were children; and,

Whereas, Eight out of ten of the uninsured are in working families that cannot afford health insurance and are not eligible for public programs; and,

Whereas, National studies show that compared to insured people, uninsured women who develop breast cancer are twice as likely to die, uninsured men are fifty percent more likely to be diagnosed at a late stage for colon cancer, and uninsured children are seventy percent more likely to not receive care for common conditions such as ear infections; and,

Whereas, Overall, uninsured Americans live with more sickness and die younger because they are forced to go without the health care they need; and,

Whereas, A slowdown in the economy has led to higher unemployment, leaving many people without health care coverage; and,

Whereas, Health care costs are rising at double-digit annual rates, making it difficult for employers to provide and unaffordable for individual consumers; and,

Whereas, While Michigan has been fortunate to have more citizens with health insurance than the national average, there remains much work to do; and,

Whereas, Nationwide and in the State of Michigan, public and private partners have come together to support Cover the Uninsured Week and have dedicated their time and energy to focus on this crucial issue; and

Whereas, As Governor, I have been proud to protect the health care programs that serve Michigan’s low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, and help to create new alternatives to ensure that Michigan provides assistance to those without health care coverage; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim the week of May 2, 2005, as Cover the Uninsured Week in Michigan.    I encourage all citizens of our state to become aware of the plight of our uninsured neighbors and commit to help improve their well-being.