Medicare For All
MISSION STATEMENT
We believe that healthcare is a human right and should be free, accessible, and comprehensive for all Rhode Islanders. We oppose the current, inequitable, for-profit healthcare system in favor of a single-payer model – one that prioritizes people over profit. Our mission is to educate Rhode Islanders, from all walks of life, about establishing a statewide Medicare for All program where everyone is guaranteed coverage, regardless of citizenship, employment, or socioeconomic status. Through intentional grassroots organizing, we aim to build a working-class movement for the interests of working people.
WHY DOES MEDICARE FOR ALL MATTER?
Our current healthcare system does not support working families. More than 40,000 Rhode Islanders had no health insurance BEFORE COVID, and in the first few months of the pandemic an additional 20,000 lost their insurance when they lost their jobs. Most uninsured people in RI are adults who work full- or part-time but cannot afford coverage either through their employer (if it is offered) or through the state. Even among people with insurance, nearly 50% are underinsured—meaning they avoid seeking healthcare because of high deductibles or copays.
These are just a few reasons why Rhode Island — and the rest of the U.S. – need a single-payer, or universal healthcare system.
The only way to win single-payer healthcare is to build a broad, diverse base of Rhode Islanders willing to stand up and demand their human right to healthcare.
BUILDING MOMENTUM FOR MEDICARE FOR ALL
As the time draws near for the Legislature to consider an important new universal healthcare bill, DSA’s Medicare for All (M4A) campaign is revving up.
Last year, our campaign brought together more than 150 Rhode Islanders to testify before Rhode Island House and Senate legislative committees in favor of RICHIP (Rhode Island Comprehensive Health Insurance Program), which would have provided every Rhode Island resident full and free healthcare coverage regardless of socioeconomic situation.
We got off to an even earlier start this year when almost 200 Rhode Islanders signed our petition urging Governor McKee urging him not to make any cuts to Medicare programs. Well—Surprise, surprise!—he didn’t get the message, and we responded accordingly to his sickly budget.
At the same time, we have been organizing several community events in the greater Providence area to raise awareness of M4A and RICHIP
Our kick-off event in early February, co-sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of RI and Physicians for a National Healthcare Program RI (PNHP RI), took place at the stately St. Martin’s Church, where the Rt. Rev. Nicolas Knisely, Bishop of the RI diocese of the Episcopal Church, was the keynote speaker. More than 70 people participated either in person or via live-stream. A follow-up event in March with the Olneyville Neighborhood Association focused on the effects of healthcare inequity on marginalized communities. RICHIP would provide free healthcare to all Rhode Islanders, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or citizenship status.
We will be posting further news, events and updates on this space, and if you’re interested in learning more about, keeping up with, or—best of all—volunteering for Medicare for All, please sign up here and join the good fight.
HELP US MAKE MEDICARE FOR ALL A REALITY IN RI!
How can you help make Medicare For All a reality in Rhode Island? Here’s how…
1. Inform yourself by reading our FAQs about M4A in RI or the bills: House Bill 8119 and Senate Bill 2769.
2. Invite us to speak about Medicare for All. Are you a member of an organization — a faith group, union, workplace, community group, etc. — that would like to learn more about Medicare for All? Contact us at medicareforall@provdsa.org to set up an education session. We will tailor it to your organization, talk about issues your constituency cares about, and answer questions. Previous speakers have included physicians, local electeds, and leaders of the community.
3. Let your representatives know you want Medicare for All in RI! The pandemic has made clear our healthcare system is inadequate, inefficient, unaffordable, and riddled with racial inequities. Now is the time to let our reps know that Medicare for All is not only NEEDED, but WANTED and POSSIBLE.
Click HERE to email your local representatives.