SENATE APPROVES MEASURE TO STUDY OPTIONS FOR SINGLE-PAYOR HEALTH CARE

AUGUSTA – In a 20-14 vote, the Senate gave initial approval to a measure to study options for single-payor health care in Maine.

“Every morning, Mainers get up, go to work, and take care of their families. In return they ask for three things: a living wage, financial security, and health care. This measure will give us a road map for health care,” said Democratic Senator Geoff Gratwick of Bangor. “Every family should have a family doctor, and this measure will help us develop a strategic plan to get there.”

The measure instructs the Insurance and Financial Services Committee to request at least three design options for creating a universal system of health care in Maine from consultants. The consultants would be funded under the state’s federal State Innovation Model grant under the Affordable Care Act.

“I serve on the board of a hospital, and we’re always going to take care of the people who come to us, whether or not they can pay,” said Democratic Senator Stan Gerzofsky of Brunswick. “We take care of the sick, but it shouldn’t always be through the Emergency Room. A single-payor system will ensure more people have the affordable health insurance they need to go to a doctor’s office instead of the ER.”

The bill, LD 1345, “Resolve, To Study the Design and Implementation of Options for a Universal Health Care Plan in the State That Is in Compliance with the Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” is sponsored by Representative Charlie Priest. It faces further votes in the House.