During a meeting on Oct. 14, the San Juan County Democratic Party conducted a vigorous discussion regarding the right of all Americans to adequate health care. The party then voted, without dissent, to adopt “A Resolution in Support of S1804” (The Medicare for All Act of 2017) and HR676 (The Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act).

The Democrats have sent this resolution to U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Washington state Democratic Party Chairwoman Tina Podlodowski. It explained in its cover letter that the principles of universal health care, a single-payer system, and health care as a basic human right are of vital importance to the party. While it appreciates efforts to preserve and improve the Affordable Care Act, that is merely the short-term solution. The long-term solution is a single-payer system of universal health care.