In February and March 2020, the municipalities of Bangor, Blue Hill and Penobscot approved resolves that 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 resolve was passed without debate during the February 10th council meeting, at which several Maine AllCare members were present. The Blue Hill resolve was approved 9 days later, and the Penobscot Select Board approved its healthcare resolve on March 10th. All of the resolves contained similar introductory “whereas” statements, noting that an equitable and comprehensive health plan for all would simplify our complicated and confusing system, eliminate administrative waste and improve the quality of life of our residents.
“We appreciate the support of the Bangor City Council in our efforts, and we hope passage of the resolve will encourage other cities and towns to do the same,” said Andrew Sarto of Bangor. “We see healthcare as a basic human right, and we want to see that concept reflected in the way that Maine creates its healthcare delivery system.”
It has been almost 20 years since a Maine city or town has 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 healthcare. That referendum question resolved “that healthcare is an essential safeguard of human life and dignity and that here is an obligation for society to ensure that every person be able to realize that right.”
Click on these links to view the 2020 resolves:
The text of the 2001 Portland advisory referendum can be found HERE.
Please consider asking your town to approve a resolve. For more information about the process, contact Abbie Ryder at aryder@maineallcare.org.