Rally to support single payer health care plan

Date: 7/28/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



CHICOPEE -- Local labor leaders and single payer health care advocates are planning to do two things on July 30 in Chicopee: celebrate Medicare's 44th birthday and make the case for single payer option in the pending health care legislation.

They also hope to convince Congressman Richard Neal to sign on to support the single payer option. Neal is one of three Massachusetts representatives who has not yet joined his colleagues in the delegation in their support of a single payer bill.

The event -- complete with a birthday cake -- will be presented at noon in the conference room of the Public Library on Front Street. The public is invited.

Jackie Ballance, a Northampton registered nurse, is one of the organizers of the event, which also includes urging the Chicopee City Council to pass a resolution asking Neal for his support of the single payer program.

Ballance told Reminder Publications the city councils in Northampton and Springfield have already passed such a resolution.

"[Neal] should listen to the voices of the people," Ballance said.

"[Single payer] is the only health system proven in 36 countries to save money," she added.

Medicare is the "single payer" for health care to people over 65 years of age.

Also on July 30, a group of local single payer advocates will be attending a Medicare for All advocates rally in Washington, D.C., and lobbying Congress, including a visit to Neal.

The proponents are calling for passage of HR676, the United States National Health Care Act, which would build on the current Medicare system with universal coverage, increased payments to doctors through negotiations, bulk purchase of prescription medications which would be free to patients, the inclusion of long term care, incentives for physicians to go into primary care and other provisions.

For more information on the local advocacy effort call the Western Massachusetts Single Payer Network at 827-0301 ext.1.