Why I Support Massachusetts Medicare for All
I believe that healthcare is a human right. We all need access to good quality, accessible and affordable health care. That is why I support An Act Establishing Medicare for All in Massachusetts, S. 860 and H.1405. This bill would establish a healthcare trust fund that would pay all medically necessary costs for all residents of Massachusetts without unnecessary middle men and unregulated pharmaceutical companies. The bill proposes no co-pays, no deductibles, no out- of- pocket costs. The fund would be supported by a 2.5% payroll tax on individuals and a 7.5% payroll tax on employers. All health needs would be included in the coverage, including the cost of eyeglasses, hearing aids, dental care, mental health and long-term care. These five three important needs are either only partially covered or not covered at all.
Around 40 million people in the USA suffer from hearing loss, including half of people over 75 years. The choice for insurers to not cover hearing aids is about profits not about need or improving quality of life. Simply put hearing loss is too high a risk as too many people will make a claim, therefore it is uninsurable.
The current patchwork of healthcare systems we currently have in place is not working efficiently. Costs are escalating far higher than inflation and yet we have less access to quality healthcare. Many residents’ report difficulty finding a Primary Care Physician (PCP) accepting new patients and those with a PCP often experience a long wait for appointments. Massachusetts does have a high health care coverage rate yet more than 40% struggle to pay for healthcare and/or have high-deductible healthcare plans.
More than 1 in 8 residents carries family medical debt. Medical debt poses a persistent affordability challenge and is associated with a wide range of negative consequences, from forgoing medical care to facing food insecurity and housing instability. This year with the elimination of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, costs will go up significantly for an estimated 300,000 Massachusetts residents.
In November 2024 a non-binding 6th ballot question was put on the ballot for 11 districts across in Massachusetts including the 10th Middlesex which includes sections of Waltham, Watertown and Newton. It passed in all 11 districts by an average “yes” vote of 64%. including two districts that went for Trump. In the 10th Middlesex District, it passed by more than 68%, and some districts by more than 70%. I was very impressed with the outcome of these non-binding ballot questions. To me it demonstrated a real majority interest in pursuing a healthcare system that better serves all of us. It inspired me to learn more about the Medicare for All Bill. I also joined MassCARE, I attended forums and workshops discussing the healthcare crisis and I lobbied the Chair of the Joint Committee on Healthcare Financing and gave testimony on the Bill before the Committee.
https://masscare.org/ballot-question-2024/
We can no longer afford the Commonwealth’s current system; a myriad of health insurance plans and 3rdparty middle men which results in a navigation nightmare and delays and barriers to care. The exceedingly complex billing system aggravates and confuses health care professionals and patients alike, and “prior approval” by insurance companies takes control of care and treatment out of the hands of clinicians who should be the arbiters of who needs what. Recently, the Governor announced a policy eliminating prior authorization for many routine and essential services.
Currently, health care spending represents about 18 percent of the entire U.S economy meaning that roughly one out of every five dollars spent goes toward health care costs — more than what Americans spend on groceries or housing. In 1960, it was only 5 percent. The of healthcare cost is out of control and continues to spiral upward.
We Are Making Progress! Passing a Medicare for All Bill in Massachusetts will be a lot of work. But progress is being made. The health care advocates combined with the growing healthcare crisis have spurred the Governor to take action by removing a major barrier to care; the dreaded “prior authorization”. In addition, the Chair of the Joint Committee on Healthcare financing has agreed to a comprehensive study of the bill and to meet with Masscare advocates and the sponsors of the bill to review the parameters of the study.
Passing a Medicare for All Bill in Massachusetts will be a lot of work. But progress is being made. The health care advocates combined with the growing healthcare crisis have spurred the Governor to take action by removing a major barrier to care; the dreaded “prior authorization”. In addition, the Chair of the Joint Committee on Healthcare financing has agreed to a comprehensive study of the bill and to meet with Masscare advocates and the sponsors of the bill to review the parameters of the study.
There will be more to come on this subject!
https://www.chiamass.gov/assets/2025-annual-report/2025-Annual-Report.pdf