|
Deval Patrick on HEALTH CARE
|
Vote selection and interpretation by representatives of Mass Scorecard without approval or participation from the Massachusetts Democratic Party.
Would vote NO on Killing employer assessment for uninsured employees.
Platform indicates voting NO in Part II: HEALTH CARE:Clause 3 & 4: Universal coverage.
This vote was on an amendment to a health care bill. The amendment would eliminate the employer assessment, which would be imposed on companies – with ten or more employees – that do not provide health insurance for their workers. Voting NO indicates support of the employer assessment. The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part ii. HEALTH CARE, clause 3 & 4: We believe that healthcare is a fundamental right. We support a constitutional amendment that affirms the right to universal coverage and to quality healthcare.
Patrick statement on this issue: "Patrick was an early supporter of a bill proposed by Affordable Healthcare Today that served as the basis for the recently approved universal healthcare law. "I see health care as a common good", Patrick says.
Boston Globe Issue Outlines, Jun.2006"
; vote number MA05-H265
on Nov 3, 2005
Would vote YES on Maintaining two state psychiatric hospitals.
Platform indicates voting YES in Part II: HEALTH CARE:Clause 16 & 17: Mental health.
In the budget item for the operation of adult inpatient facilities and community mental heath centers, the legislature called for a study on how psychiatric patients at Worcester State Hospital and Westborough State Hospital might be best served. The Governor vetoed the section requiring that the legislature approve possible closure of the two hospitals, in effect transferring the closure decision to the executive branch since the study would be conducted under the Governor's authority. A vote of YES would override the Governor's veto, and keep the decision on mental hospital closings within the legislative branch, thereby making closure less likely. The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part II, clause 16 & 17: HEALTH CARE: We oppose cuts in mental health services, including those for children and adolescents. We support an expansion of private health insurance benefits to include mental health parity.
Patrick statement on this issue: "I envision Massachusetts as a model for public health stewardship, a state that gets healthy and stays healthy. We will have effective programs to. address mental health needs.
-- Campaign booklet, "Moving Massachusetts Forward", Sept. 15, 2005"
Bill H.4001 budget item 5095-0015
; vote number MA05-H123
on Jul 14, 2005
Would vote YES on Overriding veto on Stem Cell Research Bill.
Platform indicates voting YES in Part II: HEALTH CARE:Clause 14: Stem cell research.
This vote affirmed passage of the bill supporting stem cell research as originally passed by the House and Senate, rejecting Governor Romney’s proposed amendments and veto, and avoiding delays of implementation. A vote of YES indicates support for embryonic stem cell research and support for regenerative medicine research.The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part II, clause 14: HEALTH CARE: We endorse the Legislature's support for stem cell research, including embryonic stem cells, in the belief that such research will yield treatment for many illnesses.
Patrick statement on this issue: "We will issue bonds to invest in expansion and development of stem cell research.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick's policy booklet, p. 4 Sep 15, 2005"
Bill S. 2039
; vote number MA05-H069
on May 31, 2005
Accord with the Democratic Party Platform is determined by representatives of Mass Scorecard and has no approval by nor association with the Massachusetts Democratic Party.