Whereas:

Health care is a cooperative endeavor, necessarily involving patients, physicians, nurses, therapists, public health agencies, financial systems, and health care institutions working together in a concerted fashion; AND

So-called market based competition in the health care sector has failed to contain costs, increase access, or sustain quality care systems; AND

Those living in the U.S. pay twice the per capita average for health care than is paid by the citizens of any other country; AND

The U.S. alone, among first world countries, has a substantial portion of its population without financial support for health care services; AND

For profit health care businesses provide lower quality care at a higher price; AND

The Institute of Medicine has identified a deficit in the quality of health care in the U.S., which ranks 35th in health care quality according to the World Health Organization; AND

Most uninsured people living in the U.S. make significant financial contributions to health care systems in the U.S. through payment of taxes; AND

Double digit increases in health care costs are again expected in the U.S. this year; AND

Market based health care reform measures have failed throughout the U.S.; AND

People living in the U.S. are taxed more heavily for health care than are the citizens of any other nation.

And whereas:

We, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are charged to be "willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light...and comfort those that stand in need of comfort" (Mosiah 18:8-10).

Now therefore let it be resolved that:

1.	All people should receive financial support for medically necessary health services.
2.	All should be free to choose among physicians licensed to practice medicine.
3.	No increase in revenue, either out-of-pocket or tax payments, is required to provide universal health care services to people living in the U.S.
4.	Administrative overhead for financing health care services should be held below 5%.
5.	Personal medical services should be integrated with public health services and programs, maximizing the effectiveness of preventative programs and services.
6.	All revenues for health services, whether of federal, state, or private origin, should be combined together and should be managed in a manner responsive to the public.

Let it be further resolved that:

Mormons for Equality and Social Justice support--through voluntary actions of the membership--any organized movement to achieve health care reform according to the aforestated principles.

Adopted 20 July 2002