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James Murphy on Health Care
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This Scorecard reflects votes from the 2003-2004 legislative session. Click here for the 2005-2006 Scorecard.
Vote selection and interpretation by representatives of Mass Scorecard without approval or participation from the Massachusetts Democratic Party.
Voted YES on amending the Constitution to call for universal health care.
Platform indicates voting YES in Part III: Health Care:Health Care.
Vote on a Constitutional Amendment: 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.
Relevant platform section: Health Care: Our Party supports the creation of a single-payer health care system both in Massachusetts and in the nation in order to achieve the goal of universal health care. We understand that other methods are less satisfactory to us, but we remain committed to ensuring that every man, woman, and child in our state should have access to high quality health care.
Bill Constitutional Amendment
; vote number MA04-H721
on Jul 14, 2004
Voted NO on tax credits for all smoking regulation costs.
Platform indicates voting NO in Part III: Health Care:Tobacco.
Corporations shall be allowed a tax credit equal to 100 per cent of the costs incurred, for the purchase and installation of ventilation systems and any other materials used in the construction of a designated smoking area designed to reduce the presence of smoke in non-smoking areas, pursuant to any board of health regulation, city ordinance, town bylaw, or any other municipal variance or exemption. [The effect of this legislation would be to make legislating restrictions on smoking fmore difficult]. Relevant platform section:Part III: Health Care: Tobacco: "We support legislation to regulate smoking in the workplace and all public settings."
Bill H.4249
; vote number MA03-H430
on Oct 22, 2003
Voted YES on Veto override of "Turning 22" mental disability program.
Platform indicates voting YES in Part III: Health Care:Mental Health.
Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which eliminated state funding for the "Turning 22" program, which provides residential and treatment services for severely disabled individuals (who are mandated to exit other state programs after age 21). "Turning 22" is designed to allow a person to remain where his or her family lives. Relevant platform section: PART III: HEALTH CARE, ACCESS & CHOICE: Mental Health: “Our Party supports the full implementation of mental health policies which will provide emergence care, family support, and appropriate housing to our citizens with chronic mental health disorders."
Bill Veto Override
; vote number MA03-H253
on Jul 10, 2003
Voted YES on Veto override of $10M cut in the uncompensated care pool.
Platform indicates voting YES in X2:Access and Costs.
Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which eliminated $9,670,807 in funding for the uncompensated care pool. This care pool provides health care for people who would otherwise not be covered for hospital visits.Relevant platform section: PART III: HEALTH CARE, ACCESS & CHOICE: Access and Costs: “We remain committed to extending proper coverage to each of the hundreds of thousands of residents still uninsured, and to aiding the even greater number who are underinsured, or at risk of being so.”
Bill Veto Override
; vote number MA03-H170
on Jul 8, 2003
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.