HEALTH CARE

The Democratic Party gave the country the original single payer systems: Medicaid, Medicare, and the Veterans Health Administration.

Massachusetts Democrats continue to advocate for a single payer health system for all citizens.

We believe that healthcare is a fundamental right.

We support a constitutional amendment that affirms the right to universal coverage and to quality healthcare.

We support full funding for the state sponsored Prescription Advantage drug insurance plan, to ensure that all senior citizens have access to affordable prescription drugs.

The Commonwealth must act to provide affordable health insurance to all residents.

We affirm our unwavering support for the provisions in Roe v. Wade and absolutely oppose any effort to weaken or overturn it.

The Commonwealth must ensure that all women have access to pre-natal, reproductive, and family planning services and that such services are provided to women unable to afford such care. We oppose Republican efforts to eliminate services and cut funding for these programs.

The Commonwealth must protect a patient's right to privacy.

The Commonwealth must provide well-baby and child healthcare to all.

We support the restoration of MassHealth coverage and funding.

The Commonwealth must reinstate dental coverage for MassHealth eligible adults, and expand and improve services for children.

The Commonwealth must fund community-based alcohol and drug-treatment programs.

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.

We support reasonable staffing and work schedules for our hospital nurses and doctors.

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.

We oppose federal spending cuts in HIV/AIDS programs, and urge increases in spending and outreach.

We oppose the Republican administration's proposal to impose excessive cost sharing and other burdens on the Veterans Health System.