DC Health Care System Development Commission Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2000
PR 13-731

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A PROPOSED RESOLUTION IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

To declare the existence of an emergency with respect to the need to extend the term of the Commissioners and the authority of the DC Health Care System Development Commission to develop strategies to increase access to health care and improve health outcomes for District of Columbia residents.

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the "DC Health Care System Development Commission Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2000".

Sec. 2. (a) There exists an immediate crisis regarding the extension of the term of the commissioners and the authority of the DC Health Care System Development Commission.

(b) The DC Health Care System Development Commission is reviewing data and documents to assess the District's health care delivery structure, 2) availability of comprehensive quality care, and 3) strategies for expanding coverage and services accessibility. The Commission's mandate is to develop a detailed plan for improving health outcomes in the District of Columbia.

(c) The Commission has met with health providers and consumers to identify health issues in the City. These issues include:

• There are approximately 80,000 District residents, or 15 percent of the population, lack health coverage.
• There are approximately 60 public and private clinics that currently serve the city's vulnerable populations. However, the clinics are not organized into an integrated system with unimpeded pathways to other levels of care. The District lacks the infrastructure to efficiently connect indigent patients, and their primary care providers to necessary services.
• The District of Columbia spends more than $1.3 billion a year on health care services, but lacks an integrated system of "prudent purchasing" that holds public and private providers accountable for both cost and quality.

(d) The DC Health Care System Development Commission is developing recommendations/findings and a final report to submit to the Mayor and City Council to be considered with the FY 2001 budget.

(e) In order for the Commission to complete its work, the term of the commissioners and the authority of the Commission must be extended immediately.

Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia determines that the circumstances enumerated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the DC Health Care System Development Emergency Act of 2000 be adopted after a single reading.

Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.