GRASS ROOTS

Referendum supporting universal healthcare likely

By Noah Bruce

At a press conference held July 12, the Southern Maine Labor Party announced it has collected signatures from over 2600 Portland residents who want to place the issue of universal healthcare to a city-wide referendum in November.

While a successful referendum would not change Maine’s healthcare system it would put Portland, the state’s largest city, on the record as supporting universal care.

Standing on the steps of City Hall, Dr. Duncan Wright, a psychiatrist who is heading the universal healthcare campaign, pointed across the street at the fire department. “We want to make health care like the fire department,” he said. “When there’s a fire, we don’t argue whether you have the hook and ladder option or if you’re pre-approved . . . [the fire department] is just there.”

According to Wright, there are 150,000 people in Maine without insurance and many more who are underinsured. Not only would universal healthcare cover everyone, it would be more cost effective. The American healthcare system, said Wright, costs double per capita what universal systems that exist in countries like England, France, Italy, and Spain cost.

Wright said the referendum comes at the right time, as the state legislature recently agreed to fund a study looking at the feasibility of universal care.

In addition to the Maine Labor Party, representatives from the Maine People’s Alliance, the Portland Democratic Committee, and city councilor Jim Cloutier spoke in favor of universal healthcare. Cloutier said the proposal to enact a referendum has six co-sponsors on the council, while it only needs five votes to pass. So, come November, look for a vote on (the idea of) healthcare for all.