Download letter: USCM-Letter on Health Care 

July 20, 2017

Dear Senators,

As the United States Senate takes its next steps in an effort to reform our nation’s healthcare system, The United States Conference of Mayors strongly encourages leadership and relevant members to form a bipartisan working group in partnership with the nation’s mayors to craft legislation that will truly fix what ails our healthcare system.

We are Republican and Democratic mayors who represent small and large cities and towns in progressive and conservative states and localities – we are on the ground and closest to the people; and we are ready and willing to partner with you. We are united and confident that, working with you, we will find actionable solutions to strengthen healthcare delivery.

Cities and their metro regions are home to 86% of the nation’s population, 88% of the nation’s jobs, and 91% of the country’s GDP. Any proposal that strips away coverage, hurts seniors, or hampers efforts to combat the opioid epidemic is a non-starter for cities. During our annual meeting earlier this summer, the nation’s mayors released the Mayors’ Agenda for the Future that affirms our position as the public officials closest to the people, and that quality health care in this country should be viewed by all as a human right, not a privilege for those who can afford access to it.

A bipartisan working group that includes Mayors, Governors and Senators and that is inclusive of cities’ voices regardless of their relative size, demographic makeup, or political persuasion – will provide a venue for vibrant, productive policy conversations that will deliver real, measurable results. It will serve the best interests of all our shared constituencies, who are best served by action, not partisanship.

We look forward to your reply. The U.S. Conference of Mayors leadership will be in Washington August 1-2, and hope to meet with you at that time to chart concrete next steps.

Yours,

Mitch Landrieu, Mayor of New Orleans, President