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Providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to Section 5-300 of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, by adding a new subsection (f), as approved by Resolution of the City Council, requiring the Health Department to prepare a plan for universal health care coverage that permits everyone in the City of Philadelphia to obtain decent health care on a regular basis; fixing the date of a special election for such purpose; prescribing the form of ballot question to be voted on; and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election.
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THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. There shall be submitted for the approval or disapproval of the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia at the election to be held on November 4, 2003, an amendment to Section 5-300 of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter requiring the Health Department to prepare a plan for universal health care coverage that permits everyone in the City of Philadelphia to obtain decent health care on a regular basis.
SECTION 2. There shall be placed on the ballot the following question to be answered “Yes" or "No" by the qualified electors participating in the election:
Shall Section 5-300 of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to declare that because health care is an essential safeguard of human life and dignity, the City of Philadelphia Health Department shall prepare a plan for universal health care that permits everyone in the City of Philadelphia to obtain decent health care?
The proposed amendment is contained in Resolution No. 030189 approved by Council on May 1, 2003, and filed in the Office of the Clerk of Council.
SECTION 3. The Clerk of Council is hereby directed to have printed in pamphlet form, in sufficient number for general distribution, the proposed amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter as set forth in Resolution No. 030189, together with the ballot question set forth in Section 2 of this Ordinance.
SECTION 4. The Clerk of Council is hereby directed to cause to be published in three (3) newspapers of general circulation in the City and in the Legal Intelligencer the proposed amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, together with the ballot question set forth in Section 2 of this Ordinance, once a week during the three (3) weeks preceding the election on November 4, 2003; and further, at such other time and in such other manner as she may consider desirable.
SECTION 5. The Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to issue a proclamation giving at least thirty (30) days notice of such election. The Clerk of Council shall cause a copy of the proclamation to be published, together with the notice provided for in Section 4 of this Ordinance.
SECTION 6. The appropriate officers are authorized and directed to take such action as may be required for the holding of an election on the ballot questions set forth in Section 2 of this Ordinance as provided for by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
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