Whereas, More than 47 million Americans in 2007 were without health care insurance coverage; and,

Whereas, More than 9 million of those Americans without health care insurance 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 those with health insurance, uninsured women who develop breast cancer are twice as likely to die, uninsured men are 50 percent more likely to be diagnosed at a late stage for colon cancer, and uninsured children are 70 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, The cost of health care is rising at double-digit annual rates, making it difficult for employers to provide and for individual consumers to afford; and,

Whereas, While Michigan has been fortunate to have more citizens with healthcare 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 to help create new alternatives to ensure that Michigan provides assistance to those without health care insurance coverage; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim the week of April 27, 2008, 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.