Today, on a 24-15 vote, the MA Senate failed to pass the “single-payer” amendment (#125) introduced by Sen. Eldridge to s.2060.
As progressives, we understand that the fight for single-payer is a long one. We can be heartened today, however, that 15 Senators stood strong and stood up for single-payer health care.
We must support progressives when they take a step outside the expected. Please send an email or make a call of THANKS to these Senators for their principled stand on progressive health care reform!
- Brownsberger, William (D) 617-722-1280, William.Brownsberger@masenate.gov
- Chang-Diaz, Sonia (D) 617-722-1673, Sonia.Chang-Diaz@masenate.gov
- Clark, Katherine (D) 617-722-1206, Katherine.Clark@masenate.gov
- Creem, Cynthia , (D) 617-722-1639, Cynthia.Creem@masenate.gov
- DiDomenico, Sal , (D) 617-722-1650, Sal.DiDomenico@masenate.gov
- Donnelly, Kenneth (D) 617-722-1432, Kenneth.Donnelly@masenate.gov
- Downing, Benjamin (D) 617-722-1625 Benjamin.Downing@masenate.gov
- Eldridge, James , (D) 617-722-1120, James.Eldridge@masenate.gov
- Fargo, Susan (D) 617-722-1572 Susan.Fargo@masenate.gov
- Jehlen, Patricia (D) 617-722-1578 Patricia.Jehlen@masenate.gov
- McGee, Thomas (D) 617-722-1350 Thomas.McGee@masenate.gov
- Montigny, Mark (D) 617-722-1440 Mark.Montigny@masenate.gov
- Pacheco, Marc (D) 617-722-1551 Marc.Pacheco@masenate.gov
- Rosenberg, Stanley (D) 617-722-1532 Stan.Rosenberg@masenate.gov
- Wolf, Daniel (D) 617-722-1570 Daniel.Wolf@masenate.gov
Don’t see your Senator? How about a note expressing your wish that s/he stand up for progressive health care reform next time?
UPDATE 5/15: Blogger HesterPrynne has roll call list, includes the “did not votes” and “no votes”
UPDATE 5/16: Senator Eldridge gives grassroots activists a shout-out:
My single-payer amendment was debated yesterday, and although we did not ultimately prevail, the vote (15-22) was much closer than I – or anyone else – had expected. Frankly, it’s rare to see an amendment that is opposed by the leadership of the Senate gain that much support. Every co-sponsor of my original single-payer bill stayed with us, and several more senators joined us. The vote caught people by surprise, and sent a message that support for single-payer health care in Massachusetts is strong and growing.
This happened because of grassroots activism.
Earlier this week, a number of grassroots advocacy groups, including Mass Care, Progressive Massachusetts, the Progressive Democrats of America, and the League of Women Voters, put out the call: it’s time to contact your Senator and ask him or her to support the single-payer amendment.
And people responded. Many of my colleagues told me the phone just kept ringing with single-payer supporters. Some legislators who may have been wavering stood with us because they knew their constituents were watching. Others gave the amendment more serious consideration after initially dismissing it.
