On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed the bill that created Medicare and Medicaid. These programs are not perfect, but for the past five-plus decades, millions of Americans have relied on them for health care, and for peace of mind.
Advocates for Medicare for All seek to extend the benefits of Medicare to all Americans, and to build on its success by expanding what it covers to include all comprehensive medical care.
But we face a crisis: Efforts to privatize Medicare are eroding this landmark program, allowing the greed of a few to threaten the wellbeing of us all. A new movement to protect Medicare—and make sure Medicare for All is still possible—is building.
This month, we’re joining with organizations including Be A Hero and Physicians for a National Health Program to celebrate Medicare’s birthday and #ReclaimMedicare.
Join us! Here’s what you can do:
Sign the Be a Hero petition and
Email President Biden and ask him to take executive action and to direct his administration to do everything in their power to DO THREE THINGS:
- Improve Medicare so that people have the freedom to just choose Medicare.
- Stop wrongful delays and denials of care in Medicare Advantage plans.
- Hold corporations accountable by ending rampant profiteering, kicking the bad actors out and mandating transparency in Medicare Advantage plans.
On July 30th, a national day of action, join us and encourage your friends and family to celebrate Medicare’s birthday:
- Post and share on social media. Share a photo of a hand-drawn birthday card, a photo of you or your friends holding a birthday cake, a short video saying “Happy Birthday, Medicare!” Tag us (@MaineAllCare)!
- Share our social media posts or Be A Hero’s with your friends and followers: on Facebook and on Twitter.
- Use the hashtags #HBDMedicare and #ReclaimMedicare.
- Text President Biden at (302) 404-0880 and ask him to #Reclaim Medicare from corporate greed.
Learn more on the HealthCare for All Maine website
Tune in to a recording of the July 25 press conference with Be A Hero, PNHP, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Reps. Ro Khanna and Katie Porter and others, and stories from real people whose lives and health have been devastated by Medicare (Dis)Advantage.
“When everyday people make their voices heard, elected leaders feel the pressure to act on behalf of everyday people, not corporate interests. While it’s easy to ignore statistics, it’s much harder to ignore someone’s personal experience.”
July Statewide Meeting
We held our second statewide, virtual meeting on July 16, with participants joining from around the state. Find meeting notes and a link to the recording of the meeting.
Here are some highlights:
Legislation in process: A small group of volunteers is creating a plan for all Maine residents to have comprehensive medical care, to be presented to the Maine Legislature in January 2025. A first draft is expected in September, then an advisory committee will be formed and input sought from stakeholders.
Updated economic study: Maine AllCare received a grant to have the Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) create an updated economic feasibility study of universal health care for Maine, with a report expected in August or September. Find a summary and link to the 2019 MECEP report on the MAC website.
Town/city resolutions: MAC volunteers around the state have successfully pursued resolutions in their communities in support of universal health care. We’re also testing out a ballot initiative process in Penobscot, to put the question directly to voters. The resolution in Penobscot will be on the ballot in November, and education session(s) will be held ahead of the vote. Learn more about town resolutions here.
Save the date! Our next statewide meeting will be Sunday, October 15, 4-5:30, via Zoom.
Volunteers Needed!
Common Ground Country Fair
September 22-24
We’re excited to be back at the Common Ground Fair this year!
Volunteers are needed to staff our table and talk with people about health care for all.
Sign up to volunteer here.
Questions? Contact Liz, esolet@maineallcare.org.
Double Your Impact
Dr. Carol Paris, longtime Medicare for All activist and past president of Physicians for a National Health Program, will match any donations made to PNHP’s 35th Anniversary campaign in the next 30 days, up to $5,000.
One of the cornerstones of PNHP’s 35th Anniversary campaign is protecting Medicare from being taken over by greedy private interests, including Medicare Advantage. They’re also raising funds to support Students for a National Health Program and the next generation of health care activists.
“Our health system can only be fixed with improved Medicare for All, but we’ll never get there if Medicare Disadvantage is allowed to transform the Medicare Trust Fund into the insurance industry’s personal piggy bank. I strongly encourage you to donate to this matching grant opportunity, and help us win a future for the single payer-movement.”
Learn more and find a toolkit on protecting Medicare in a new Kitchen Table campaign from PNHP.
Share Your Story
Maine Monitor seeks health care stories
Reporter Emily Bader and Maine Monitor staff want to hear from you as they report on health care in the state, especially delays and long waiting times for appointments. Click on the link below to learn more and share your experience.
Support Our Work
Turn your bottles and cans into universal health care!
Clynk is a simple way to support Maine AllCare’s work—just fill up a Clynk bag with your returnable bottles and cans, put on a MAC sticker, and drop them off at a nearby Hannaford store.
Clynk bags are available at participating Hannaford stores for a small fee. To get MAC stickers, contact us and we’ll put them in the mail to you.
Thank you to all who are using Clynk to support our work!
So far you have dropped off more than 35,500 containers to Clynk. That’s enough to save the emissions equivalent of driving 11,268 miles. Or fill 363 lobster traps.
Have you gotten your Maine AllCare bumper sticker?
Contact us to request yours!
Are you already sporting a sticker?
Send us a photo! We love to see the message spreading far and wide.
If you have trouble accessing content linked in this newsletter, please feel free to contact us. We’ll try to help.
Thank You for Your Support
Your donation is tax deductible under Section 501(c)3 of the IRS code, to the full extent allowed by law.
Maine AllCare promotes the establishment of publicly funded health care coverage for all Maine residents. This system must be efficient, financially sound, politically sustainable and must provide benefits fairly distributed to all. Maine AllCare advocates that health care, a basic necessity, be treated as a public good, since it is fundamental to our well-being as individuals and as a democratic nation.
Maine AllCare is a chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program.
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What do you think of this newsletter? We’d love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: communications@maineallcare.org.