A few weeks ago, I wrote about how Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts (PDM) had produced a remarkable document and sent it to the statewide membership. “We are,” wrote state chair Peter Dolan in his cover letter, “nearing a decision to endorse Deval Patrick for Governor. Before we make our final decision, we want to share with you the process and the thinking that are leading us to this decision, and hear your thoughts.”

The document was a detailed rationale that included this succinct summary of the candidate’s position on health care. The entire document is now posted on the PDM web site.

Health Care

“Single payer is my medium-term destination. Where I want to go is single payer.” But of the proposals now out there, he is currently supportive of Health Care for All, with some modifications. On the way to our destination, “…. we have to do what we can do now. It’s immoral to have this number of people [1/2 a million] who go to bed every night worried about getting sick. It’s hard to ask these people [the uninsured and the underinsured] to wait for the stars to be aligned for Single Payer. Health Care for All is the most attractive and ambitious proposal that we can do right now…. but where I want to go is single payer.”

He spoke of the problem of multiple meanings of Single Payer — ranging from a single clearinghouse for bill paying to a government-managed delivery system. His focus will be on inclusiveness, transportability, simplicity, quality and real cost savings (e.g. cutting the 30% administrative costs of the current system).

“A politics of hope means universal health care in our state. This is a unique moment in time. No one is happy with the current system – not employers, not doctors, not the hospitals, certainly not the uninsured and underinsured. Even if you have health insurance, you know how hard it is to get to the care you need. If no one is happy with the current system, why don’t we change it? It’s not going to be easy. It’s going to take hard work and vision. It’s going to take bold and creative leadership and it’s going to take a governor not afraid to take on some political risk.”