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Where We Stand
Social Policy - LWVM Health Care
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 LWVM 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. LWVM 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: LWVM 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: LWVM 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.
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