LWVMA 

Where We Stand 

Content:

Introduction

Program in Brief

Government

Natural Resources

Social Policy

LWVMA 

WHERE WE STAND

Social Policy: Health Care

LWVUS Health Care Policy

Goal:
An affordable health care system that provides equal access to quality health care for all. (1983)

The League supports:

• a state and regional health care planning system that will set guidelines for allocation of health care resources in Massachusetts
• development of a state health plan by regional planning committees with final coordination and implementation at the state level
• coordination of planning, financing and regulation so that goals of the plan are accomplished
• public financing of health care provided by federal and state taxes for people who cannot pay
• citizen participation in planning, coordinating, financing, regulating, managing and monitoring, including consumer representation on planning committees
• consumer education on maintaining health, use of the health care system, costs and patients' rights
• emphasis on preventive medicine, use of alternative settings, individual responsibility for health maintenance, control of environmental hazards and consumer education
• rigorous monitoring on a regular basis by government, citizens and the health care community
• procedures for licensing, accreditation and certification of institutions and professionals that assure competence and reasonable standards in the practice of health care
• improving access to health care by removing geographic, linguistic and cultural barriers

League action
Planning
During the 1980s LWVMA worked to bolster the weakening planning authority of the six regional planning authorities and the Statewide Health Care Coordinating Council (SHCCC). A League representative served on SHCC, giving the League the opportunity to represent consumers in statewide planning decisions. LWVMA also participated in a coalition to strengthen the Determination of Need procedure, which permits acute care facilities to undertake large capital expansion projects.

Prevention
In 1983 the League worked on priority legislation to give citizens the right to know what hazardous chemical substances are used in the workplace. The League supported the Department of Health's stringent standards for allowable amounts of the EDB pesticides in food sold in the state. The League asked the governor to establish a cancer policy to guide the state when it is faced with regulating carcinogens in food, water and air. The Incidence of Cancer Registry, initially sponsored by the League, helps provide data enabling the state to regulate exposure of the public to carcinogens. The League has supported "no smoking" legislation at the State House and has been active on local levels establishing "no smoking" ordinances.

Public funding of health care for needy people
The League was successful in working in a coalition to pass the Universal Health Care Act in 1988; it was the first of its kind in the nation. The League continues to monitor implementation of the act, opposing attempts to weaken it. Although the League agrees that measures must be taken to control costs, it works to prevent hospitals and practitioners from denying health care to people who are unable to pay. Proposed changes in the Medicaid program are reviewed by the League so that members can support appropriate eligibility requirements and benefit levels.

Quality
The League supports licensing regulations promulgated by the Department of Public Health for ambulatory surgical care units, physician assistants and hospitals.

Background

• 1979: LWVMA voted to study health care planning in the state to prepare for the projected LWVUS health care study. Funding for the national study was not provided and the study was postponed.
• 1981-83: LWVMA studied health care in Massachusetts in relation to cost, financing, quality and access.
• 1990-93: LWVUS study was undertaken of health care delivery and financing in the U.S.