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Council to consider resolution backing state 'Medicare for All' bill after supporters highlight local savings
Summary
Councilors introduced a resolution in support of a Massachusetts single-payer 'Medicare for All' bill (H.1405 / S.860). Supporters said the plan would reduce administrative waste and lower municipal employee and retiree health costs; councilors agreed to place the item on the June 5 agenda for a second reading and possible vote.
Councilors on Wednesday introduced and discussed a resolution expressing Northampton’s support for an act to establish a Massachusetts single-payer health system commonly described as "Medicare for All." The item will appear on the council’s June 5 agenda for a second reading and potential vote.
The resolution, sponsored by Councilors Jeremy Dubs, Rachel Maori, Stan Moulton and Quaverly Rothenberg, cites language from the state bill (House bill H.1405 and Senate bill S.860 as referenced in the meeting) and argues single-payer would guarantee inpatient and outpatient medical, dental, vision and long-term care without co-pays or deductibles while leaving delivery of care in private hands.
Speakers in favor at the public-comment podium included John Weisman, chair of the Massachusetts Campaign for Single Payer (MASCARE), and Shelly Berkowitz, a family physician who said the local municipal savings could reach into the millions. Sponsors cited a local calculation — using publicly available municipal budget data — that Northampton could save several million dollars annually on employee and retiree health insurance under a state single-payer system. Councilors and others also noted a nonbinding November 2024 ballot question (Question 6) had favorable local results in districts where it was on the ballot.
Councilor Jeremy Dubs said he supported the resolution on the basis that health care is a human right and he cited national reports about possible federal cuts to Medicaid and Medicare as additional reasons to press for state-level reforms.
Ending: The council did not vote on the resolution Wednesday; members agreed to include the item on the June 5 meeting agenda for a second reading and possible adoption.
