The national health reform bill (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - PPAC) passed by Congress in April 2010 was endorsed by the League of Women Voters of the U.S. The League will work to defend against challenges which seek to dismantle PPAC.
However, PPAC leaves in place the payment for health care services by a confusing and wasteful array of private/public health insurance plans. In addition, when it is fully implemented, 14 millions Americans will still not be insured, and many private plans lack benefits for vital services. For these reasons and others, the delegates at the LWV US National Convention (June 2010), approved a resolution stating that the League will continue to work for truly universal, quality, affordable health care, i.e. improved Medicare, for all residents of the United States.
In MA, the 2006 health reform bill (i.e., Chpt 58) introduced most of the critical features of PPAC. Four year later, health care costs are out of control, 5% of residents are without health insurace,and many of the plans offer liminted benefits. For these reasons and more, the LWV MA has endorsed the MA Health Care Trust. This is legislation that would provide MA residents a quality, affordable health plan that is cost effective with access to all. It would eliminate the wasteful duplication of administration and billing and direct more funds to health care providers and services. To learn more, contact the LWV Amherst Health Care Committee at or go to mass-care.org.