Constitutional Amendment Protecting Right to Health Care to be on Massachusetts Ballot in 2006

By John Goodson, MD

A constitutional amendment committing the Commonwealth to state-based universal access to health care is on track to appear on the November 2006 state ballot. With ratification, it will be the "duty and obligation" of our elected leaders to create a system of affordable and comprehensive health insurance for all state residents. The language, which has been approved by the Attorney General, was endorsed by 153 out of 200 state legislators at the Constitutional Convention in July 2004.

This extraordinary level of support exceeded our expectations and is a testament to the truly grand collaborative work of health care professionals, students, activists, advocates, and health planners. It would never have been possible if any one of the participant groups had not extended strong and dedicated support. The strongly favorable vote is a shared success.

The amendment reads as follows:

Upon ratification of this amendment and thereafter, it shall be the obligation and duty of the Legislature and executive officials, on behalf of the Commonwealth, to enact and implement such laws, subject to approval by the voters at a statewide election, 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.

The language of the amendment establishes an enforceable mandate for affordable comprehensive health insurance coverage for all Massachusetts residents. It requires the Legislature to enact the laws needed to achieve the goals of the amendment. What ever is created will have to be approved by the voters.

This amendment does not prescribe or proscribe any particular solution. Our task now is to build a broad supporting coalition that includes providers, patients, business owners, health care activists, legislators and many others. This will be important to winning the second required Constitutional Convention vote in the 2005-06 legislative session.

If this amendment is approved by the voters, all stakeholders will need to participate in reformulation of the health care delivery system. This will certainly require a careful analysis of the current bureaucratic inefficiencies so that the dollars and time wasted on needless and redundant "paper work" can be redirected to the care of patients. It will demand that all professional groups develop effective ways of representing their professional perspective in the stakeholder process.

This is not a "single payer" reform initiative but the amendment offers a perfect opportunity for single payer financing supporters. What better time for the simplicity of a single payer model to be presented as the most logical and effective mechanism to achieve affordable health care reform?

The Ad Hoc Committee has played a critical role in this whole effort as a sponsoring and supporting organization. Our leaders are among the original signers of the amendment and have been vocal and public with their advocacy.

In the months ahead we will continue our work to increase the public's awareness of this constitutional amendment campaign and solidify a supportive political base. I would ask that each Ad Hoc supporter bookmark the campaign web site, www.HealthCareForMass.org and use it as a resource to take part in these efforts. The website has a fully annotated version of the amendment, detailed background material, and endorsement forms. All this material can be easily downloaded.

Please take the time to inform your colleagues, your friends, your patients, and your community about the opportunities that this amendment presents.

John Goodson is a is a practicing Internist and board member of the Ad Hoc Committee to Defend Health Care and Co-Chair, Committee for Health Care for Massachusetts.