Press Release: 7/28/2025

Senator Eldridge Highlights Momentum for Medicare for All at State House

 

Jul 26

Advocates Continue Push for Single-Payer Healthcare in Massachusetts

BOSTON, MA – State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) is proud to highlight the growing momentum behind legislation he filed to establish a single-payer healthcare system in Massachusetts. “An Act establishing Medicare for All” (H.1405/S.860), filed alongside lead House sponsors Representative Lindsay Sabadosa (D-Northampton) and Representative Margaret Scarsdale (D-Pepperell), would create a publicly funded healthcare program that guarantees comprehensive coverage for every resident of the Commonwealth.

The bill would eliminate copays, deductibles, and denials of care, while reducing administrative waste and overall healthcare costs. By streamlining the system and removing financial barriers to care, Medicare for All would ensure that every person can access the healthcare they need, when they need it.

At the Congressional level, Senator Edward Markey (D-Massachusetts) introduced legislation supporting states that implement single-payer healthcare systems on July 15. The State Based Universal Health Care Act will create a waiver for states to enact universal healthcare systems with federal funding and legal backing. While the state legislature has the authority to create a single-payer system, Sen. Markey’s bill demonstrates the national support for affordable, efficient healthcare systems. 

On June 21, Sen. Eldridge delivered the opening remarks at the annual Mass-Care Working and Strategy Conference, held at Clark University in Worcester. The event brought together more than 100 advocates from across Massachusetts to build organizing power for Medicare for All and share strategies for advancing healthcare justice. Mass-Care is a statewide coalition that has led the fight for single-payer reform since 1995, bringing together unions, seniors, low-income residents, public health leaders, and municipal officials.

Just days earlier, on June 18, Senator Eldridge testified before the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing in strong support of the bill. He was joined by advocates from across the state, many of whom submitted powerful oral and written testimony in support of the bill. To read Senator Eldridge’s full testimony, visit his website. 

“Attending the annual Mass-Care conference showed me the strength of the grassroots movement present in all regions of the state, including Central and Western Massachusetts,” said state Senator Jamie Eldridge. “I’m deeply grateful to Mass-Care Director Kimberley Connors and the entire coalition for their leadership in the fight for healthcare justice. I remain hopeful that we’re moving closer to a system that puts patients first and guarantees care as a basic human right ” 

“The time for Medicare for All is now! Healthcare access is shrinking in every community because marketplace profit-driven healthcare has failed,” said Mass-Care Executive Director Kimberley Connors. “We know that passing single payer legislation will get us ahead of the cuts coming from Washington. We have the deepest appreciation for Sen. Eldridge, Rep Sabadosa and Rep Scarsdale for their legislative leadership.”

Following the June 18 hearing, supporters of the bill wait for the Joint Committee on Healthcare Financing to publish its report on the bill.