State of Massachusetts secondary Archives: on Health Care
Al Gross:
Alaska has most expensive health care in the world
[My opponent Dan Sullivan] voted against health care on numerous occasions, taking away pre-existing conditions coverage or taking away the ability for those under 26 to stay on their parents' plans. It became clear he didn't understand or care about
the economic impact health care is having on our state. Alaska has the most expensive health care in the world and I really believe it's keeping new businesses from moving here because the overhead costs for businesses are just too high.
Source: Anchorage Press on 2020 Massachusetts Senate debate
Jan 22, 2020
Al Gross:
Public option allows Alaska to compete on equal basis
For a state like Alaska, let individuals and small businesses buy into Medicare as an option. If a business is trying to decide where to put their employees, and if health care costs are half as much in Idaho as they are in Alaska, they're going to
put them in Idaho. But if it's a level playing field and you have the same overhead for employees, there's no reason not to put those employees in Alaska.
Source: Anchorage Press on 2020 Massachusetts Senate debate
Jan 22, 2020
Beth Lindstrom:
Bipartisan cooperation instead of socialized medicine
Lindstrom said Warren's plans for health-care reform equate to "socialized medicine in America." Rather, bipartisan cooperation is needed to fix the health-care system, she said. "We need Democrats and Republicans working
together for the good of this country," she said, adding that "we have to protect the system from any more sudden shocks, especially in Massachusetts, because healthcare is such a big part of our economy."
Source: The Lowell Sun on 2018 Massachusetts Senate race
Oct 15, 2017
Carla Howell:
Get government out of health care & we’ll be better off
Health care in this country is pathetic compared to what it could be. This is a result of big government involvement. Big government accounts for more than 50% of spending on health care in this country and it regulates 100% of the dollars spent. It has
failed. It has made things worse. People have far fewer health options, less privacy, less control, and pay radically more than they would with small government and free market healthcare. We need to get big government’s hands off health care.
Source: Eric Darbe, Massachusetts News
Jan 5, 2000
Charlie Baker:
Access to health care is a basic right
Baker declares, "access to health care is a basic right": In a debate with Mark Fisher on June 2nd, "Baker said "access to health care is a basic right." And to ensure that everyone is afforded that right, he said, the state's health care delivery system
needs an overhaul, including making the price of care more transparent. The same person can receive drastically different price quotes for the exact same medical treatment from different hospitals, Baker said. Knowing how much each medical institution
charges for a service would "change the whole health care conversation in Massachusetts," he said." (Boston Globe, 6/2/2014)Baker said health care is already a basic right under state and federal law. "I think the most
important thing we can do to make sure everybody's 'covered' with respect to that is to have a system like the one we had here in Massachusetts, where 98% of our population was covered. (State House News Service, 6/2/2014)
Source: Mass IEPAC p.183, on 2014 Massachusetts gubernatorial debate
Jun 2, 2014
Charlie Baker:
Push for a state waiver from ObamaCare
The debate touched on health care issues and the botched website the state launched last year to be in compliance with President Barack Obama's health care law. Baker has said the state should push for a waiver from the law. He said Tuesday that he
feared the state was losing control of its own health care law. "I wanted Massachusetts to continue to be in the driver's seat," he said.Coakley said the state needed some waivers from the federal government and said the state has the right plan now.
Source: WCVB-TV on 2014 Massachusetts Gubernatorial debate
Oct 8, 2014
Charlie Baker:
Opposed Republican bill to eliminate ObamaCare
[Democratic opponent] Jay Gonzalez said the governor of Massachusetts should stand in opposition to the healthcare and budgetary policies of President Donald Trump, and that Baker's actions, which include writing a letter opposing the now-dead bill to
eliminate ObamaCare, either came too late or are insufficient. Gonzalez, speaking in the days before the House Republican's American Health Care Act of 2017 failed to pass the House of Representatives, said that national Republican efforts to repeal
President Barack Obama's healthcare bill pose a serious threat to Massachusetts. Baker's administration released estimates last month showing that the AHCA would have cost the state $1 billion per year by 2020. "We need to be doing everything we can to
try to stop that from happening," Gonzalez said.
While major federal health care changes are no longer imminent following the defeat of the ACHA, Trump tweeted last week that he is still dedicated replacing Obama's signature health care law.
Source: Springfield Republican on 2018 Massachusetts Governor race
Apr 3, 2017
Charlie Baker:
Health Connector: replace mess with hope
We began with a Health Connector that was, by all accounts, a mess. Today it just finished its third consecutive positive open enrollment. Providing more than 240,000 working families with affordable health care coverage.We began with a state
hospital in Bridgewater that for decades was beset by a series of terrible tragedies--yet nothing was done. Today, Bridgewater State Hospital is a completely different place. And families who never expected anything to get better finally have hope.
Source: 2018 State of the State speech to Massachusetts legislature
Jan 23, 2018
Charlie Baker:
Modern health issues more challenging than in the past
For years, we have neglected preventive services that keep people healthy and out of our emergency rooms, like primary care, addiction services, geriatrics and behavioral health care. For a variety of reasons, mental health, addiction and behavioral
health issues are far more challenging than they were in the past, and increasingly intertwined with physical illnesses. To put more resources into time, on primary care and behavioral health services, while limiting overall cost increases.
Source: 2020 Massachusetts State of the State address
Jan 21, 2020
Charlie Baker:
Emergency telehealth order worked, now it's permanent
Telehealth visits--online or over the phone--were made possible by an emergency order we issued. Patients and clinicians took full advantage. People who used to put off that clinician visit because they were busy flocked to service. Over a million
visits in less than nine months. It was convenient and safe--and it kept people healthy and out of the emergency room. But it wasn't permanent. Now it is, and we will all benefit from the flexibility and availability of this critical service.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Massachusetts legislature
Jan 26, 2021
Charlie Baker:
Patients First: mental health & COVID
S2984: An Act promoting a resilient health care system that puts patients first. Governor's press release on S.2984: Governor Baker signed legislation increasing access to quality, affordable care, promoting telehealth and protecting
access to COVID-19 testing & treatment. This legislation continues to advance our shared goal of transforming mental health care access and delivery in Massachusetts.
This legislation will do so much good, but particularly it will expand mental health care access for rural residents, people of color, working families, and young people.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 40-0-0 on Dec/23/20; Passed House 157-0-3 on Dec/23/20; Signed by Governor Charlie Baker on Jan/1/21.
Source: Governor press release on Massachusetts voting record S2984
Jan 1, 2021
Danielle Allen:
Pandemic was last straw; commonwealth ready for change
A Harvard political science professor is the first candidate out of the gate for Massachusetts' 2022 governor's race. Danielle Allen--an author, political theorist, a Democrat, and a Harvard University professor--
was the first to formally announce she is exploring a 2022 bid for governor. Allen filed candidacy papers with the state's Office of Campaign Finance on Monday afternoon and simultaneously launched a campaign website.
Calling the pandemic "the last straw," Allen declared the commonwealth is "ready for change" and said she's ready to play her part.
The incumbent Governor Charlie Baker has yet to announce his plans for re-election, with the rumblings of challengers from both sides growing louder by the day.
Source: Boston Herald on 2022 Massachusetts Gubernatorial race
Dec 14, 2020
Danielle Allen:
Prioritize a new level of public health investment
Danielle believes that securing a foundation of health requires innovation through the state's Medicaid system to strengthen the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of health care provision to all residents of the state,
and that the state needs to prioritize a new level of public health investment, including investment in health resources inside of schools.
Source: 2022 Massachusetts Gubernatorial website AllenForMA.com
Jan 15, 2022
Danielle Allen:
COVID: Mandatory vaccinations for elderly, prison workers
Allen also backed the idea of mandatory vaccination for some state employees. "I do think that any job that involves working with vulnerable populations--that includes both elderly populations and incarcerated
people--should have a requirement for vaccination," Allen said. "I think that is a very basic part of ensuring health and safety in the work environment."
Source: WGBH Boston-NPR on 2022 Massachusetts gubernatorial race
Jun 25, 2021
Deval Patrick:
Supports Health Access and Affordability Act
As governor I will work with the legislature to enact the Health Access and Affordability Act, a credible, achievable means to bring immediate progress. Through a combination of changes in the eligibility requirements of MassHealth (Medicaid)
and reasonable assessments from employers who do not provide health insurance, the plan substantially expands access to affordable health care to Massachusetts residents.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.11
Sep 15, 2005
Deval Patrick:
Finance catastrophic health coverage
No one should have to choose between health care and bankruptcy. To relieve the anxiety for individuals and the burden on small businesses, the State will guarantee catastrophic coverage for everyone who is not already covered by Medicare or Medicaid.
By spreading these typically high costs over the largest possible pool of participants, and consolidating the many separate reserves now maintained for this care, per-person premiums will be reduced significantly for both employers and employees.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.11
Sep 15, 2005
Deval Patrick:
Negotiate bulk drug purchases under governor’s authority
Using existing but ignored authority, I will reduce the cost of prescription drugs through negotiated bulk purchases and the development of new channels of supply. It is the duty of the Commonwealth to act in the financial interests of the people.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.12
Sep 15, 2005
Deval Patrick:
Invest in prevention
When diagnosed early, many illnesses can be managed at far lower cost than if left until they breed more serious health problems. To keep our citizens healthy, I will invest in a robust public health delivery system. I will place a special emphasis on
adequate childhood immunizations, effective drug & alcohol abuse education, HIV/AIDS prevention & care, and early cancer detection programs. Common sense prevention programs like these reduce system-wide costs, which saves money for insurance ratepayers.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.12
Sep 15, 2005
Deval Patrick:
Focus on prevention and wellness programs
I envision Massachusetts as a model for public health stewardship, a state that gets healthy and stays healthy-emphasizing disease prevention and wellness programs that help reduce the total cost of illness, injury and disability.
We will have effective programs to assure childhood immunizations, and to address drug and alcohol addiction, mental health needs, gun safety and other violence prevention, and HIV/AIDS screening, treatment and prevention.
Source: Campaign policy booklet, “Moving Massachusetts Forward”
Sep 15, 2005
Deval Patrick:
98% of all Massachusetts citizens now have health insurance
Thanks to successful implementation of health care reform, nearly 98 percent of all
Massachusetts citizens now have health insurance that they can depend on, the highest proportion in the Nation.
Source: 2009 State of the State speech to Massachusetts Legislature
Jan 1, 2009
Don Berwick:
Triple Aim strategy: improve experience, health, and cost
As part of his proposal to improve medical care in Massachusetts, Berwick previously said he would implement the Triple Aim strategy, focusing on improving the experience of care, improving the health of the population and reducing per capita costs of
health care.Berwick said on his first day in office, he would put together a task force of health care stakeholders to review the state's 2011 cost containment law to identify places it could be improved upon.
Berwick doubled-down on his flirtation
with the idea of a single-payer system in Massachusetts, saying the time has come to see if it could result in a better, less expensive health care experience. "It is time to explore seriously the possibility of a single payer system in Massachusetts.
The complexity of our health care payment system adds costs, uncertainties, and hassles for everyone--patients, families, doctors, & employers," Berwick said. "I will work with the Legislature to assemble a multi-stakeholder Single Payer Advisory Panel."
Source: Springfield Republican on 2014 Massachusetts Governor race
Jan 23, 2014
Don Berwick:
Explore single payer system in Massachusetts
Berwick said, "It is time to explore seriously the possibility of a single payer system in Massachusetts. I will work with the Legislature to assemble a multi-stakeholder Single Payer Advisory Panel to investigate and report back within one year on
whether and how Massachusetts should consider a single payer option."Democrats initially pushed for a single payer system in the national Affordable Care Act but the language never made it into the final bill that passed in 2010. Supporters of a
single payer system argue that it would simplify the billing process and reduce overall costs, in part, due to increased preventative care. Opponents, however, argue government is not efficient enough to be in charge of such an undertaking, and with
public officials at the helm of the health care system, the quality of care and the overall health care system would diminish.
In 2010, communities across the commonwealth approved a non-binding ballot question endorsing a single payer system.
Source: Springfield Republican on 2014 Massachusetts Governor race
Jan 23, 2014
Don Berwick:
Institute for Healthcare Improvement: focus on quality
Q: You started the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Tell me about that. A: I was recruited to the first HMO at Harvard Community Health Plan to run their quality systems and quality of care. We had an unlimited budget to measure anything we
wanted that related to care. So we were watching patient satisfaction and infant mortality, and I kept noticing that everything stayed the same. We were okay, but there wasn't improvement.
[I looked at] how other industries deal with improvement; we
studied modern approaches to improvement. We began some experiments and then started a national demonstration project in the late 1980s, with 21 hospitals using these then-new quality-improvement techniques from outside healthcare. And it worked. It was
unbelievable. It was so exciting. They were addressing problems that had been chronic for decades with just a little bit of help from people who understood quality. We brought in experts from other industries; a lot of them made breakthroughs.
Source: Medscape interview on 2014 Massachusetts governor's race
Feb 18, 2014
Ed Markey:
Expand online clinical trials registry
The field of medical research is central to the Massachusetts economy and to the health and well-being of our residents.
Federal funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supports 35,000 jobs in Massachusetts, which receives more NIH funding per capita than any other state.
Ed is a leader in the effort to ensure full funding for NIH, supporting our researchers and helping Massachusetts remain the global leader in medical research and biotechnology.
Ed also led the reform at the FDA to greatly expand an online clinical trials registry database so the public can determine which medications are the subject of clinical trials.
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2020 Massachusetts Senate race
Oct 23, 2014
Ed Markey:
COVID: Trump's response "criminally negligent"
Markey faulted Trump's handling of the COVID-19 response, calling the Republican president "criminally negligent." Markey noted that he requested information about the Trump administration's preparations and also called on Trump to appoint a coronavirus
response czar. "I was the first senator to call upon him to use the Defense Production Act to produce the testing, the PPE, the tracing technologies that were necessary," he said.
Source: The Boston Globe on 2020 Massachusetts Senate debate
Oct 6, 2020
Geoff Diehl:
Reduce the number of healthcare mandates
Small-sized employers should be allowed to choose high-deductible and mandate-lite plans.
Given the desire for greater cost containment overall, legislators should revisit the mandated benefits and repeal those that impose unnecessary costs.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Senatorial website DiehlForSenate.com
Oct 1, 2017
Geoff Diehl:
Opposes single-payer healthcare
As Elizabeth Warren took to the stage, alongside Bernie Sanders to promote a single-payer healthcare bill, Diehl stated his opposition. "As a husband and a father, I know that healthcare is one of the most important things,
especially when there is an illness in the family," said Diehl. "I want to make sure people get the best care possible. Elizabeth Warren is for single-payer government controlled healthcare. That's not the answer."
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Senatorial website DiehlForSenate.com
Oct 1, 2017
Geoff Diehl:
COVID: Strongly oppose mandates for vaccination or proof
I strongly oppose Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's decision to implement expanded mandates for vaccination and proof of vaccination in the City of Boston. These mandates are clear violations of the civil rights of anyone who lives in, works in, or travels
to the city, and will make it even more difficult for Boston's economy to recover from the pandemic. What's more, it's unfair to ask members of law enforcement and small business owners to enforce these mandates against members of the public.
Source: 2021 Massachusetts Governor campaign website GeoffDiehl.com
Dec 20, 2021
Heidi Wellman:
Oppose ObamaCare
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Expand ObamaCare"?
A: NO
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Massachusetts Senate candidate
Mar 7, 2018
Jay Gonzalez:
Health insurance coverage for low-income residents
Jay Gonzalez has spent his career working to improve the lives of people in Massachusetts. Through his work providing health insurance coverage for low-income residents, helping cities and towns build new schools and fire stations, and managing the
state budget for Governor Deval Patrick during the Great Recession, Jay has always put people first.He also served as Chairman of the Board of the Massachusetts Health Connector, where he oversaw implementation of Massachusetts' health care reform.
Most recently, Jay served as President and CEO of CeltiCare Health and New Hampshire Healthy Families, where he helped tens of thousands of low-income residents access the health care services they need. Under his leadership,
Jay turned CeltiCare Health around, launched New Hampshire Healthy Families, grew the company's regional presence by multiple times and added hundreds of jobs.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Governor campaign website jay4ma.com
Mar 11, 2017
Jay Gonzalez:
System is fundamentally dysfunctional; we need single-payer
Former Deval Patrick aide Jay Gonzalez said in an interview [that] the governor of Massachusetts should stand in opposition to the healthcare and budgetary policies of President Donald Trump. Gonzalez said Baker's actions, which include writing a
letter opposing the now-dead bill to eliminate ObamaCare, either came too late or are insufficient. "This should be a huge concern for everybody in this state," Gonzalez said. "We need to be doing everything we can to try to stop that from happening."
Gonzalez said that while the ACHA would have been disastrous for the state, problems with the health care system extend far beyond that single issue. "I think our system is fundamentally broken. It's dysfunctional," he said. "This isn't an easy fix."
He pointed to obscure and seemingly arbitrary price variations among health care providers, and said policymakers should "put everything on the table for consideration," including possibly instituting a single-payer system.
Source: Springfield Republican on 2018 Massachusetts Governor race
Apr 3, 2017
Jay Gonzalez:
Medicare for All, regardless of income or employment
I support a true single-payer health care system based on the principles of Medicare for All to ensure that everyone, regardless of income or employment status, has access to the health care services they need to be as healthy as they can be.
I have long believed that health care is a basic human right. As a former health insurance executive, I know firsthand the inequities, waste and inefficiency that exist in our current, multi-payer system.
This experience in the health care industry, as well as my time serving as Governor Patrick's Chair of the Board of the Health Connector implementing universal health insurance coverage here in
Massachusetts, make me the most qualified candidate in this race to credibly make the case for a single-payer health care system, to actually make it happen, and to ensure it happens in a way that will achieve the desired outcomes.
Source: ORMA questionnaire on 2018 Massachusetts governor race
Dec 20, 2017
Jesse Gordon:
Guaranteed healthcare as a human right
Q: Healthcare is a human right. Our healthcare system needs to work for all of us. We must guarantee healthcare as a right of citizenship by enacting a Medicare for all single-payer healthcare system, as well as lowering the price for prescription drugs.
A: Agree.
Candidate's position on this issue: Guaranteed healthcare is the right goal, but Medicare-for-all is just one possible solution. I support the guarantee as a human right, regardless of the paperwork and payment method.
Source: ORMA questionnaire for 2017 local Massachusetts endorsements
Jul 31, 2017
Joe Kennedy III:
ACA has done good things for people in need
Joe Kennedy has been unhesitant to defend the Affordable Care Act amid recent Republican efforts to replace the law. "That hearing for 28 hours that I was in last week, while you heard story after story from my Republican colleagues saying how
disastrous this was, there was also an intern in there for a lot of it from my office whose life was saved--twice--by the Affordable Care Act," Kennedy said. "You cannot deny that this law has done some really good things to some people in need."
Source: Boston Globe on 2020 Massachusetts Senate race
Mar 14, 2017
John Kerry:
Lack of accessible health care is a disgrace
We must end the disgrace of America being the only industrialized nation on the planet not to make health care accessible to all our citizens.
Source: Speech at Massachusetts Democratic Convention
May 31, 2002
John Kerry:
Providing health care for kids is an ethical issue
[To William Weld]: Why did you veto health care for kids that don't have it? That's an ethical issue.
Source: Kerry/Weld: A Classic Senate Race In Massachusetts, CNN.com
Oct 29, 1996
John Kingston:
Repeal ObamaCare; prevent free-riding
I do not favor ObamaCare, as its effects have been to drive insurance premiums higher, deny Americans their freedom to keep their doctors, and created enormous costs and strains in the system. I favor a system that allows people to choose
their doctors, that does not block pre-existing conditions, and that prevents free-riding by requiring all Americans to pay for insurance. I favor tort reform so that doctors and hospitals can avoid practicing defensive medicine.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Senatorial website JohnKingston.com
Oct 15, 2017
Karyn Polito:
Voted YES on maintaining two state psychiatric hospitals
Mass. Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part II: HEALTH CARE: Clause 16 & 17: Mental health. [State Rep. Polito, a Republican, voted YES].In the budget item for the operation of adult inpatient facilities and community mental health
centers, the legislature called for a study on how psychiatric patients at Worcester State Hospital and Westborough State Hospital might be best served. The Governor vetoed the section requiring that the legislature approve possible closure of the two
hospitals, transferring the closure decision to the executive branch. A vote of YES would override the Governor's veto, and keep the decision on mental hospital closings within the legislative branch, thereby making closure less likely.
The relevant
part of the MassDems Platform is Part II, clause 16&17: HEALTH CARE: We oppose cuts in mental health services. We support an expansion of private health insurance benefits to include mental health parity.
Bill H.4001 budget item 5095-0015 ; vote #H123
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 14, 2005
Karyn Polito:
Voted NO on Constitutional call for universal health care
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part III: Health Care:Health Care. [State Rep. Polito, a Republican, voted NO].Vote on a Constitutional Amendment: It shall be the obligation and duty of the Legislature and executive
officials to enact such laws... as will ensure that no Massachusetts resident lacks comprehensive, affordable and equitably financed health insurance coverage for all medically necessary preventive, acute and chronic health care and mental health care
services, prescription drugs and devices.
Relevant platform section: Health Care: Our Party supports the creation of a single-payer health care system both in Massachusetts and in the nation in order to achieve the goal of universal health care. We
understand that other methods are less satisfactory to us, but we remain committed to ensuring that every man, woman, and child in our state should have access to high quality health care.
Source citation: Constitutional Amendment ; vote number 721
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 14, 2004
Karyn Polito:
Voted YES on tax credits for all smoking regulation costs
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting NO in Part III: Health Care:Tobacco. [State Rep. Polito, a Republican, voted YES].Corporations shall be allowed a tax credit equal to 100 per cent of the costs incurred, for the purchase
and installation of ventilation systems and any other materials used in the construction of a designated smoking area designed to reduce the presence of smoke in non-smoking areas, pursuant to any board of health regulation, city ordinance, town bylaw,
or any other municipal variance or exemption. [The effect of this legislation would be to make legislating restrictions on smoking fmore difficult].
Relevant platform section:
Part III: Health Care: Tobacco: "We support legislation to regulate smoking in the workplace and all public settings."
Source citation: Bill H.4249 ; vote number 430
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Oct 22, 2003
Kevin O`Connor:
Competitive marketplace will reduce health care costs
Every American deserves access to affordable health insurance. Socialized medicine, however, will increase costs and reduce the quality of care. The plan supported by the Democrats in this race eliminates private insurance, increases the federal
budget by 60 percent, and costs taxpayers $32 trillion. Kevin O`Connor favors increasing competition, expanding premium tax credits for middle-income families, and moving more subsidy-eligible individuals into Marketplace plans.
Source: 2020 Massachusetts Senate campaign website KOCforSenate.com
Oct 6, 2020
Kevin O`Connor:
Against mask mandate; "all contact is not equal"
While Markey supports a mask mandate to help curb the virus that's infected 132,905 Bay Staters and killed more than 9,300, O'Connor said he does not, and agreed with existing guidelines. "There are appropriate guidelines that people should follow, and
certainly within confined spaces, yes, then I think it's appropriate to regulate," O'Connor said. When pressed on why he's been seen campaigning without a mask in close quarters, O'Connor said it's "about duration of contact, & all contact is not equal."
Source: The Boston Herald on 2020 Massachusetts Senate debate
Oct 5, 2020
Kevin O`Connor:
Repeal ACA only if pre-existing conditions still covered
O'Connor said he disagrees with the administration-backed lawsuit to repeal the Affordable Care Act,
though he supports repealing the landmark bill if individuals with pre-existing conditions still have access to plans.
Source: The Boston Globe on 2020 Massachusetts Senate debate
Oct 6, 2020
Lori Trahan:
Defend & expand ObamaCare; as a right, not a privilege
In Congress, Lori Trahan will lead the fight to expand health care access for every American and making sure costs are affordable. Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Defend and expand the Affordable Care Act, which helps cover over
20 million Americans. Defend access to reproductive health care. Bring down out-of-pocket costs and deductibles. Reduce the cost of prescription drugs. Double the funding for community health centers.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts 3rd House campaign website LoriTrahan.com
Oct 9, 2018
Marty Walsh:
Voted YES on Constitutional call for universal health care
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part III: Health Care:Health Care. [State Rep. Walsh voted YES].Vote on a Constitutional Amendment: It shall be the obligation and duty of the Legislature and executive
officials to enact such laws... as will ensure that no Massachusetts resident lacks comprehensive, affordable and equitably financed health insurance coverage for all medically necessary preventive, acute and chronic health care and mental health care
services, prescription drugs and devices.
Relevant platform section: Health Care: Our Party supports the creation of a single-payer health care system both in Massachusetts and in the nation in order to achieve the goal of universal health care. We
understand that other methods are less satisfactory to us, but we remain committed to ensuring that every man, woman, and child in our state should have access to high quality health care.
Source citation: Constitutional Amendment ; vote number 721
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 14, 2004
Marty Walsh:
Voted NO on tax credits for all smoking regulation costs
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting NO in Part III: Health Care:Tobacco. [State Rep. Walsh voted NO].Corporations shall be allowed a tax credit equal to 100 per cent of the costs incurred, for the purchase
and installation of ventilation systems and any other materials used in the construction of a designated smoking area designed to reduce the presence of smoke in non-smoking areas, pursuant to any board of health regulation, city ordinance, town bylaw,
or any other municipal variance or exemption. [The effect of this legislation would be to make legislating restrictions on smoking fmore difficult].
Relevant platform section:
Part III: Health Care: Tobacco: "We support legislation to regulate smoking in the workplace and all public settings."
Source citation: Bill H.4249 ; vote number 430
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Oct 22, 2003
Marty Walsh:
Opposed $10M cut in the uncompensated care pool
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in X2:Access and Costs. [State Rep. Walsh voted YES].Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which eliminated
$9,670,807 in funding for the uncompensated care pool. This care pool provides health care for people who would otherwise not be covered for hospital visits.
Relevant platform section: PART III: HEALTH CARE, ACCESS & CHOICE: Access and Costs: "We remain committed to extending proper coverage to each of the hundreds of
thousands of residents still uninsured, and to aiding the even greater number who are underinsured, or at risk of being so."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 170
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 8, 2003
Marty Walsh:
Voted YES on maintaining two state psychiatric hospitals
Mass. Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part II: HEALTH CARE: Clause 16 & 17: Mental health. [State Rep. Walsh, a Democrat, voted YES].In the budget item for the operation of adult inpatient facilities and community mental health
centers, the legislature called for a study on how psychiatric patients at Worcester State Hospital and Westborough State Hospital might be best served. The Governor vetoed the section requiring that the legislature approve possible closure of the two
hospitals, transferring the closure decision to the executive branch. A vote of YES would override the Governor's veto, and keep the decision on mental hospital closings within the legislative branch, thereby making closure less likely.
The relevant
part of the MassDems Platform is Part II, clause 16&17: HEALTH CARE: We oppose cuts in mental health services. We support an expansion of private health insurance benefits to include mental health parity.
Bill H.4001 budget item 5095-0015 ; vote #H123
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 14, 2005
Maura Healey:
ACA remains the law of the land; peoples' lives depend on it
In a statement, Healey said the coalition will defend the ACA, including the law's provision that protects people with pre-existing conditions. "The ACA remains the law of the land and it needs to stay that way--we cannot let this Administration get
away with sabotaging our health care," Healey said. "I am joining my colleagues in defending the ACA in front of the U.S. Supreme Court and protecting access to health care for millions of families across the country. People's lives depend on it."
Source: MassLive.com on 2022 Massachusetts Gubernatorial race
Nov 10, 2020
Maura Healey:
Treat mental health care as seriously as other health care
As Governor, Maura will ensure we have a [healthcare] system that serves every community. This includes:- Treating mental and behavioral health care as seriously as all other forms of health care.
Maura will invest in workforce development and support, create enforceable standards for parity in coverage, and build on successful models for providing behavioral health access in the community.
-
Lowering the cost of prescription drugs by increasing transparency in the pharmaceutical industry and exploring ways to ensure that prices correlate with the value new drugs add to available treatment regimens.
-
Focusing on ways to lower overall health care costs for families, including rising premiums and out-of-pocket costs, and ways to address unwarranted increases in provider prices.
Source: 2022 Massachusetts Governor campaign website MauraHealey.com
Jun 7, 2022
Richard Tisei:
Opposed tax credits for all smoking regulation costs
Mass. Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES on Veto Override in Part III: Health Care:Tobacco. [State Senator Tisei, a Republican, voted NO].Corporations shall be allowed a tax credit equal to 100 per cent of the costs incurred, for the purch
and installation of ventilation systems and any other materials used in the construction of a designated smoking area designed to reduce the presence of smoke in non-smoking areas, pursuant to any board of health regulation, city ordinance, town bylaw,
or any other municipal variance or exemption. [The effect of this legislation would be to make legislating restrictions on smoking fmore difficult].
Relevant platform section:
Part III: Health Care: Tobacco: "We support legislation to regulate smoking in the workplace and all public settings."
Source citation: Bill H.4249 ; vote number 430
Source: Massachusetts Senate voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 17, 2003
Richard Tisei:
Supported $10M cut in the uncompensated care pool
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in X2:Access and Costs. [State Senator Tisei, a Republican, voted NO].Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which eliminated
$9,670,807 in funding for the uncompensated care pool. This care pool provides health care for people who would otherwise not be covered for hospital visits.
Relevant platform section: PART III: HEALTH CARE, ACCESS & CHOICE: Access and Costs: "We remain committed to extending proper coverage to each of the hundreds of
thousands of residents still uninsured, and to aiding the even greater number who are underinsured, or at risk of being so."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 170
Source: Massachusetts Senate voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 8, 2003
Richard Tisei:
Voted YES on Constitutional call for universal health care
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part III: Health Care:Health Care. [State Senator Tisei, a Republican, voted YES].Vote on a Constitutional Amendment: It shall be the obligation and duty of the Legislature and executive
officials to enact such laws... as will ensure that no Massachusetts resident lacks comprehensive, affordable and equitably financed health insurance coverage for all medically necessary preventive, acute and chronic health care and mental health care
services, prescription drugs and devices.
Relevant platform section: Health Care: Our Party supports the creation of a single-payer health care system both in Massachusetts and in the nation in order to achieve the goal of universal health care. We
understand that other methods are less satisfactory to us, but we remain committed to ensuring that every man, woman, and child in our state should have access to high quality health care.
Source citation: Constitutional Amendment ; vote number 721
Source: Massachusetts Senate voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 14, 2004
Scott Brown:
Supported $10M cut in the uncompensated care pool
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in X2:Access and Costs. [State Senator Brown, a Republican, voted NO].Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which eliminated
$9,670,807 in funding for the uncompensated care pool. This care pool provides health care for people who would otherwise not be covered for hospital visits.
Relevant platform section: PART III: HEALTH CARE, ACCESS & CHOICE: Access and Costs: "We remain committed to extending proper coverage to each of the hundreds of
thousands of residents still uninsured, and to aiding the even greater number who are underinsured, or at risk of being so."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 170
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 8, 2003
Scott Brown:
Voted NO on Constitutional call for universal health care
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part III: Health Care:Health Care. [State Senator Brown, a Republican, voted NO].Vote on a Constitutional Amendment: It shall be the obligation and duty of the Legislature and executive
officials to enact such laws... as will ensure that no Massachusetts resident lacks comprehensive, affordable and equitably financed health insurance coverage for all medically necessary preventive, acute and chronic health care and mental health care
services, prescription drugs and devices.
Relevant platform section: Health Care: Our Party supports the creation of a single-payer health care system both in Massachusetts and in the nation in order to achieve the goal of universal health care. We
understand that other methods are less satisfactory to us, but we remain committed to ensuring that every man, woman, and child in our state should have access to high quality health care.
Source citation: Constitutional Amendment ; vote number 721
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 14, 2004
Scott Brown:
Voted YES on tax credits for all smoking regulation costs
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting NO in Part III: Health Care:Tobacco. [State Senator Brown, a Republican, voted YES].Corporations shall be allowed a tax credit equal to 100 per cent of the costs incurred, for the purchase
and installation of ventilation systems and any other materials used in the construction of a designated smoking area designed to reduce the presence of smoke in non-smoking areas, pursuant to any board of health regulation, city ordinance, town bylaw,
or any other municipal variance or exemption. [The effect of this legislation would be to make legislating restrictions on smoking fmore difficult].
Relevant platform section:
Part III: Health Care: Tobacco: "We support legislation to regulate smoking in the workplace and all public settings."
Source citation: Bill H.4249 ; vote number 430
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Oct 22, 2003
Setti Warren:
Move us towards single-payer healthcare
Setti Warren plans to use new revenue to fund strategies that will reduce the scourge of economic inequality,
like making public colleges free and moving us towards single-payer healthcare.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts governor campaign website SettiWarren.com
Jun 1, 2017
Setti Warren:
Health care is a right; support single-payer
We need to reduce the cost of care in Massachusetts, but Gov. Baker's plan to remove more than a hundred thousand people from MassHealth is not the right way to do it. Massachusetts needs a long-term healthcare plan that
focuses on reducing administrative and drug costs and providing quality care for all of us. Health care is a right and it is the Commonwealth's responsibility to care for all of its residents. I am for a single payer system.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Gubernatorial website SettiWarren.com
Aug 31, 2017
Setti Warren:
Accessible and affordable mental health and dental health
On what he wants out of Massachusetts healthcare system: "Here's what I want to see out of single payer system. I want to make sure health outcomes are based on the health of the person. I want to make sure we have community based care that's there and
I want to make sure it's accessible and affordable to all people. It's gotta include thing like mental health and dental health. Right now our system is very expensive. As we heading into the next year the federal government is looking at cutting back
on certain types of health benefits. We're in a very fluid situation."So we have to look at various varying options. There are a lot of options on the table. I've been talking to a lot of health care experts. We can certainly look at a public option
which I think is very real and could occur here in Massachusetts. But the first question we have to ask ourselves is what kind of Commonwealth do we want to be. What kind of health care system do we really need here in the Commonwealth."
Source: WBUR.org on 2018 Massachusetts gubernatorial race
Jun 12, 2017
Shiva Ayyadurai:
More choice in healthcare, including Ancient Eastern
Neither ObamaCare nor RyanCare address REAL "care" or "health." We need CARE that provides choice, accountability and affordability.
We need HEALTH that integrates state of the art innovations and discoveries from East & West, Ancient & Modern, Science & Tradition for everyone.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Senatorial website shiva4senate.com
Oct 15, 2017
Shiva Ayyadurai:
Patients & doctors determine vaccinations, not government
Bill Proposed by Dr.SHIVA Ayyadurai, MIT PhD: This Bill proposes a Real Solution for Immune Health by decentralizing decision-making on matters concerning the immune health of the individual to the sovereignty of the healthcare provider-patient
relationship and eliminating the undue intervention of said sovereignty by the Federal Government so as to enable the delivery of modern Precision and Personalized medical interventions for advancing immune health & resilience.
Source: 2020 Massachusetts Senate campaign website Shiva4Senate.com
Feb 4, 2020
Sonia Chang-Diaz:
COVID: universal masking in schools, indoor public spaces
Chang-Diaz put out a six-point plan of her own to respond to the threat from the delta variant, starting with universal masking in schools and indoor public spaces, consistent with the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "The
Baker-Polito administration has taken an inconsistent, path-of-least-resistance approach to pandemic safety that seems to be based more in politics than in--and puts the health of Bay Staters in jeopardy as a result," Chang-Díaz said.
Source: Newburyport Daily News on 2022 Massachusetts Governor race
Aug 28, 2021
Sonia Chang-Diaz:
Patients First: mental health & COVID
S2984: An Act promoting a resilient health care system that puts patients first. Governor's press release on S.2984: Governor Baker signed legislation increasing access to quality, affordable care, promoting telehealth and protecting
access to COVID-19 testing & treatment. This legislation continues to advance our shared goal of transforming mental health care access and delivery in Massachusetts.
This legislation will do so much good, but particularly it will expand mental health care access for rural residents, people of color, working families, and young people.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 40-0-0 on Dec/23/20; State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz voted YES; Passed House 157-0-3 on Dec/23/20; Signed by Governor Charlie Baker on Jan/1/21.
Source: Governor press release on Massachusetts voting record S2984
Dec 23, 2020
Steve Grossman:
Workplace wellness programs are a good investment
Grossman said college students "were drowning in debt," called the lack of primary care physicians in gateway communities "a crisis,"
and said wellness programs in the workplace were a good investment.
Source: Wicked Local Brookline on 2014 Massachusetts governor's race
Feb 14, 2014
Tom Reilly:
Universal access to quality, affordable health care
Ensuring access to affordable, high-quality health care for all is a moral and economic imperative for Massachusetts, keeping our people healthy and productive and enhancing the stability of our health care system.
As Governor, Reilly will keep the Commonwealth on track to achieve universal access to quality, affordable health care by:-
Working to ensure that consumers throughout the Commonwealth have access to specialty health care, including mental health providers and dentists
- Setting bold statewide goals for improving children‘s health
-
Reducing the number of children who are hospitalized for asthma, diabetes, mental health disorders, and other chronic conditions o with proper management, these conditions should rarely result in hospitalization.
Source: Campaign booklet, "Prescription for a Healthy Massachusetts"
Jun 2, 2006
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023