Written by Barbara Pearson
State-based SP bills
S693/ H1194 A bill to establish Medicare for All in Massachusetts
Standard M4A–establish Medical Trust, eliminate private insurance except for services not covered by the Trust; funded with a payroll tax (and tax on investment earnings over $30K); negotiate drug prices, provide hospital budgets
Sponsors Sen. Jamie Eldridge, Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa
70/200 co-sponsors
Related legislation (pending)
A “trojan horse” bill Hogan Bill (H1163), which would study M4A financing AGAIN. (We have lots of studies. The bill sets up a commission of ALL Health Care Industry representatives; NO patient advocates; NO reform advocates.) Several drug price negotiation bills pending. (Nothing to control hospital monopolies that are horrendous in MA).
Obstacles to SP in the current context
Strong biotech council; hospital monopolies; Republican gov. who comes from Health Insurance industry and no Repub. supporters
Advantages for SP in current context
(Strong Dem majority). (but some of them can still use more convincing)
Both of our national senators and several of our House Reps are cosponsors for Sanders or Jayapal bills
Goals for SP movement in CA 2019-2020
Get the bills in the legislature out of committee.
Work for federal SBUHC bill
Shorter-term initiatives
Working to advocate to all reps in state
Pushing for municipal & town resolutions (for state bill), following Public Citizen https://www.citizen.org/topic/health-care/
Where can people find news about Single Payer in your state and/or join a group?*
https://www.masscare.org/ (info@masscare.org)
https://www.wmmedicareforall.org/
MA Organizations
State-based SP organizations
Masscare.org, Western Mass Medicare for All
National SP organizations with significant presence
League of Women Voters; NNU
One Payer States, League of Women Voters HCR4US (committee)
Healthcare-NOW is in MA