Town Resolutions and Ballot Initiatives

NEW: On November 7, Penobscot voters passed a referendum in support of publicly funded, universal health care by a 2-1 margin!

Learn more here

Towns and cities around the state have passed resolutions urging the Maine Legislature to ensure comprehensive health care for every Maine resident.

The resolutions note that an equitable and comprehensive health plan for all would simplify our complicated and confusing system, greatly reduce administrative costs, and improve the quality of life for Maine residents. Maine AllCare volunteers and other supporters of health care for all have pursued, in most cases successfully, resolutions in their communities.

Brewer is the latest town or city to pass such a resolution, in January 2022, thanks to efforts by Cokie Giles of the Maine State Nurses Association and National Nurses United. Woolwich, Trenton, Bar Harbor, Brooksville, Surry, and Brooklin passed similar resolutions in 2021. Trenton and Woolwich are the only towns, so far, that have done so through a warrant article voted on by the town’s citizens.

The municipalities of Bangor, Blue Hill, Brunswick, Orono, and Penobscot approved resolutions in 2020. The resolutions request the Maine Legislature “to create an equitable health plan that provides every Maine resident with comprehensive medical care from birth to death.”

The Bangor resolution was passed without debate during the February 10, 2020, council meeting, at which several Maine AllCare members were present. The Blue Hill resolution was approved nine days later, and the Penobscot Select Board approved its health care resolution on March 10.

Click on the photo to hear Councilor Dan Ankeles explain why he sponsored the Brunswick resolution.

The Brunswick resolution specifically mentions dental, mental health, vision, and hearing care in addition to medical care, and also contains additional “whereas” statements referring to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before 2020, it had been more than 20 years since a Maine city or town had expressed support for universal health care. In 2001, Portland voters approved an advisory referendum question, a resolution supporting the creation of a system of universal health care. That referendum question resolved “that healthcare is an essential safeguard of human life and dignity and that there is an obligation for society to ensure that every person be able to realize that right.”

View the town resolutions at the links below. Learn more about the process in Orono and the experience of Maine AllCare volunteer Kathy Bourgoin.

Would you like to ask your town to approve a resolution? For more information and assistance, contact info@maineallcare.org.

Penobscot Ballot Initiative November 2023

Brewer Resolution January 2022

Woolwich Resolution August 2021

Trenton Resolution May 2021

Bar Harbor Resolution April 2021

Brooksville Resolve March 2021

Surry Resolution March 2021

Brooklin Resolve January 2021

Orono Resolve October 2020

Brunswick Resolve August 2020