Goal: Our community deserves access to dignified, equitable healthcare.
Background: In 2016-1018, we worked on defending Obamacare from repeal. In 2021-2023, we are working to pass a resolution in support of the proposed expansion of Medicare, Medicare For All. This effort is part of a national project to pass such resolutions in communities across the US. This matters because, while under-insurance disproportionately impacts our marginalized and undocumented communities, most of us are one major accident or illness away from poverty, even with health insurance. Medical bills are a common reason for bankruptcy. Medicare For All would alleviate this disparity by providing universalized care. At present, 25% of pregnant Alexandrians do not receive early prenatal care. With reproductive healthcare under attack in the United States, this is unacceptably immoral.
Project: Medicare For All Resolution
Please Act Now: You can help by taking action today. Please sign this petition to City Council.
Action Plan: Over the past year, we have been collecting signatures on our petition, speaking at city council meetings, speaking up in the press, and meeting with council members. Our partners in this effort are the Northern Virginia branch of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Our Revolution Virginia, and Tenants and Workers United.
Project lead: Jonathan Krall (volunteers can also reach out to NoVA DSA)
Project Status:
While the draft M4All resolution appears to have majority support, we have not yet been told who on City Council will introduce the resolution. We are working with Councilmembers Aguirre and Gaskins to edit the draft resolution. Our only requirement is that the resolution clearly calls for the passage of one or more of the current Medicare For All bills currently before Congress, Medicare for All Act[1] H.R.3421 and S.1655.
This summer, we are engaging with city council and the public with the aim of obtaining passage early in the next city council term, beginning in September. When we succeed, this will be the first Medicare For All resolution in Virginia (DC and some Maryland communities are already on the map). We are therefore also working with DSA and with Public Citizen to build up an effort to pass a similar resolution in Arlington or Fairfax.
To follow the M4All Arlington effort, please bookmark this page.
Challenges: With any coalition project, it is up to us to work with our partners to meet both project and organizational goals. We are proud of our coalition partners who helped us obtain over 300 petition signatures, who worked to gain the support of the Alexandria Democratic Committee, and who obtained positive publicity in the Washington Post, the Alexandria Times, and the Alexandria Gazette Packet.
References:
[1] Summaries of the current bills, Medicare for All Act H.R.3421 and S.1655, are not yet online. The following comes from the summary of previous bill S.4204:
“This bill establishes a national health insurance program that is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Among other requirements, the program must (1) cover all U.S. residents; (2) provide for automatic enrollment of individuals upon birth or residency in the United States; and (3) cover items and services that are medically necessary or appropriate to maintain health or to diagnose, treat, or rehabilitate a health condition, including hospital services, prescription drugs, mental health and substance abuse treatment, dental and vision services, and home- and community-based long-term care.
The bill prohibits cost-sharing (e.g., deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments) and other charges for covered services, with the exception of prescription drugs. Additionally, private health insurers and employers may only offer coverage that is supplemental to, and not duplicative of, benefits provided under the program.”
To join a project team, please write to one of the project leaders or to grassrootsalexandria@gmail.com.