Medicare for All in Massachusetts?
Vote “ YES ” on Question 4
A non-binding ballot question about Single Payer healthcare will appear on the November 6th ballot in six Western Mass. legislative districts including those currently represented by Kulik, Mark, Vega, Solomon-Rose, Scibak and Kocot (formerly). Here is the question:
“Shall the Representative from this District be instructed to vote for legislation to create a single-payer system of universal health care that would provide all Massachusetts residents with comprehensive health care coverage including the freedom to choose doctors and other health care professionals, facilities, and services, and that would eliminate the role of insurance companies in health care by creating a publicly administered insurance trust fund?”
The results of this ballot question will demonstrate the strength of support for Single Payer among voters in a particular legislator’s district and will advise that representative to support Single-Payer legislation. The vote, however, does not require any action by the legislator or by the state legislature as a whole.
WHAT IS SINGLE PAYER?
Single Payer is a system of financing private health care through a publicly funded Health Care Trust. People may continue to see their current providers or may choose new ones because there would be no more “in-network” or “out-of- network” barriers to those choices.
With a Single Payer System, we would pay no premiums, deductibles, co-pays or other out-of-pocket fees. Instead, a fair and affordable tax on payroll and unearned income would secure lifetime benefits for everyone and result in savings for almost every Massachusetts resident.
WHY THIS QUESTION MATTERS
Health care costs in Massachusetts are extremely high and rising, straining town, state, school, employer and household budgets. This draws money away from other critical needs such as public education and infrastructure. In addition, many people can’t afford health care, even if they are insured, due to high deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses.
Single Payer saves money and improves health outcomes by vastly simplifying administration and putting people before profits. A recent study by UMass Prof. Gerald Friedman shows that Single Payer would not only achieve universal coverage in our state but also significantly reduce overall spending.
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WESTERN MASS. MEDICARE FOR ALL Email: info@wmMedicareforall.org Website: www.wmMedicareforall.org Facebook: WMM4A