Fresh off their Nov. 2 midterm victories, newly energized Republicans are rattling sabers at President Obama’s signature healthcare legislation. But single payer advocates in Massachusetts and Vermont that night made tremendous headway.
Benjamin Day, executive director for the single payer advocacy group Mass Care, reported that single payer ballot measures passed overwhelmingly in all 14 Massachusetts legislative districts where they were fielded. This is telling in a state that first implemented the individual mandate as a solution to its healthcare woes, an idea that was the basis for the federal reforms. It’s obvious that many Massachusetts residents wanted a better solution, and that’s single payer.
Vermont could become the first state to establish a single payer system, thanks to the election of Peter Shumlin, whose pro-single payer platform propelled him into the governorship.With both of the state’s U.S. Senators single payer supporters, and a legislature very much open to the idea, things are looking quite good for Vermont residents.
Here in California, Democrat Jerry Brown’s defeat of Republican Meg Whitman in the governor’s race puts single payer in a better position than it had been during Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s tenure. Schwarzenegger vetoed single payer bills twice. Although Brown has not publicly given a position on single payer, he backs the Obama administration’s efforts at expanding access to health care. Whitman had campaigned to repeal the federal health reform legislation. Meanwhile, state Sen. Mark Leno plans to re-introduce California’s single payer bill, SB 810, next year.
For a roundup on other single payer efforts, click here.
Sylvia@californiaonecare.org
After paying thousands of dollars for my medical insurance this year, my only doctors appointment bill was negotiated down from $150.00 to $30.00 by the insurance company with me paying the full amount. Lab work was done because I am a cancer survivor and that bill was negotiated down from $525.00 to $72.62 and I was responsible for the full amount. From where I sit, the doctor the lab and I got screwed and the insurance company made out like the bandit they are.
Coline George
I am waiting to see what Jerry Brown says after taking office. He must make some difficult decisions. He may not be able to do what he’d like, for budgetary reasons, or he may have to figure out financing before he comes out in favor. I haven’t contributed here, because I contributed nationally to defeat democrats who voted against single payer. I also saw this site as a waste of time and money, as long as we had a republican governor, with veto powers. Now this site could be one of the most relevant, and deserving of my support. I am waiting for Brown to take office.