andidates for State Senator were asked the following question: Do you support the implementation of universal health care coverage for all residents of Massachusetts by July 1, 2000. Why or why not? (Limit 30 words.)
Here are their responses:
BERKSHIRE, HAMPDEN, HAMPSHIRE & FRANKLIN
Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr. (D)
No reply received.
1st BRISTOL
Joan M. Menard (D)
Yes. Good health care should not depend on anyone 's income or status. The richest country in the world must commit itself to the best and most appropriate health care for every citizen.
2d BRISTOL
Mark C. Montigny (D)
As a lead sponsor of the health care reforms and expansion of the 1990s, I support universal coverage. 2002 may be optimistic as work is needed on details and financing.
CAPE & ISLANDS
Robert O 'Leary (D)
Yes, I do. I believe that quality health care is a right not a privilege.
Edward B. Teague (R)
No reply received.
1st ESSEX
Edward J. ''Chip'' Clancy Jr. (D)
I support universal health insurance. Massachusetts is the national leader in providing health coverage. Health insurance should be a right for all. However a specific date for implementation is unrealistic.
2d ESSEX
Frederick E. Berry (D)
No reply received.
3d ESSEX
James P. Jajuga (D)
No reply received.
1st ESSEX & MIDDLESEX
Bruce E. Tarr (R)
No reply received.
2d ESSEX & MIDDLESEX
Susan C. Tucker (D)
I support universal health coverage for all Americans. Massachusetts must aggressively expand coverage within its borders, but ultimately the solution to this national problem must be at the federal level.
HAMPDEN
Linda J. Melconian (D)
No reply received.
Abraham Kasparian Jr. (U)
Yes! I support health care coverage for all citizens of Massachusetts. Health care coverage for citizens should be no less than that of government employees and officials. Do it now.
1st HAMPDEN & HAMPSHIRE
Brian P. Lees (R)
No reply received.
2d HAMPDEN & HAMPSHIRE
Michael R. Knapik (R)
No reply received.
HAMPSHIRE & FRANKLIN
Stanley C. Rosenberg (D)
I have always worked toward the goal of universal health care. We have made slow, steady progress. I am personally committed to getting universal health care as soon as possible.
Michael P. Froimowitz (L)
No reply received.
1st MIDDLESEX
Steven C. Panagiotakos (D)
I endorse the concept, but the lack of specific details relating to overall cost and potential impact on premiums and taxes make it imprudent to endorse the 2002 implementation date.
Peter C. Schoaff (L)
Government intrusion will further increase the cost of health care and require broad new taxes. If you like the RMV, you will love what the government does with medicine.
2d MIDDLESEX
Charles E. Shannon Jr. (D)
No reply received.
3d MIDDLESEX
Richard R. Tisei (R)
I support the initiatives underway to extend affordable health care coverage to all Massachusetts residents. I will not support a complete government takeover of the health care industry.
Steve Spain (D)
Yes. Universal health coverage will provide quality care in a cost-effective manner. Universal access to quality medical care is essential for the economic and social health of the Commonwealth.
4th MIDDLESEX
Robert A. Havern 3d (D)
I support universal health coverage. No city in our country has better health care than Boston. Yet, thousands of Massachusetts residents have no access. Comprehensive coverage for all makes economic and social good sense.
Ilana Freedman (L)
I believe that universal health care is a requisite of free and flourishing society. Achieving this goal should allow people to contribute as fully as possible so they can participate with dignity.
5th MIDDLESEX
Susan C. Fargo (D)
I supported this ballot question until we passed the Patient Rights Bill, which sets the course for well-planned universal health care. I voted for the bill.
Andrew B. Pryor (R)
No reply received.
1st MIDDLESEX & NORFOLK
Cynthia Stone Creem (D)
Yes, I support implementing universal health coverage for all residents. There is a health care crisis. Our seniors, as well as many of our children, do not have quality coverage.
MIDDLESEX, NORFOLK & WORCESTER
David P. Magnani (D)
As a cosponsor of the Health Care Trust bill to provide health care for every Massachusetts resident, I strongly support universal health care for all regardless of their socioeconomic means.
MIDDLESEX & SUFFOLK
Steven A. Tolman (D)
I am cosponsor of a bill to implement a single-payer health care system. This would ensure coverage of all citizens and guarantee that decisions are made by doctor and patient.
MIDDLESEX, SUFFOLK & ESSEX
Thomas F. Birmingham (D)
No reply received.
MIDDLESEX & WORCESTER
Pamela P. Resor (D)
I support implementation of universal health coverage for all residents of Massachusetts. We have made great progress toward this goal and should continue. I believe this gradual approach is best.
Kamal Jain (L)
I do not support ''universal '' health coverage because it will harm Massachusetts residents. It will not be universal and will eliminate choice. It will raise costs and lower quality.
NORFOLK, BRISTOL & MIDDLESEX
Cheryl Jacques (D)
I support the goal of universal coverage and have supported recent efforts in the Legislature to expand coverage for children, and prescription drug coverage for all of our seniors.
Earl Henry Sholley (R)
No reply received.
NORFOLK, BRISTOL & PLYMOUTH
Jo Ann Sprague (R)
As a 10-year legislator, I have worked with health care providers, businesses, and taxpayers to provide high quality accessible health care. I will continue to fight for that goal.
James E. Timilty (D)
I believe that every resident has a fundamental right to accessible, affordable, and quality health care. As state senator I will fight to pass a statewide universal health care bill.
NORFOLK & PLYMOUTH
Michael W. Morrissey (D)
I support implementing universal health coverage for all Massachusetts residents as soon as possible. Massachusetts is moving toward this goal. I also support greater incentives for employers to expand coverage.
NORFOLK & SUFFOLK
Marian Walsh (D)
No reply received.
PLYMOUTH & BARNSTABLE
Therese Murray (D)
While I support universal health coverage, I do not support Ballot Question 5. The Legislature passed a strong Patient 's Bill of Rights, which includes a commission to study universal coverage.
James R. Norton (R)
Socialized and rationed medicine is not the answer to providing health insurance. Due to the high costs many small businesses cannot afford to provide insurance to their employees; state should provide tax incentives.
1st PLYMOUTH & BRISTOL
Marc R. Pacheco (D)
Passage of Question 5 would duplicate current legislative health care reform efforts and repeal established patient protection guarantees included in Chapter 141, thereby placing patients and our health care system in jeopardy.
Chawner Hurd (R)
While every child in Massachusetts MUST have coverage, creating a government-run HMO is not the answer. Measures, possibly mandates, must be taken on the supply side to ensure affordability.
2d PLYMOUTH & BRISTOL
Robert S. Creedon Jr.(D)
No reply received.
PLYMOUTH & NORFOLK
Robert L. Hedlund (R)
I support current reforms such as the Senior Pharmacy Program and the Children 's Medical Security Plan. Ballot Question 5, as proposed, would be a major financial problem for the Commonwealth.
James M. Cantwell (D)
I strongly support federal universal health coverage and I will work with our senators and congressmen toward it. Statewide, we should expand existing programs in a fiscally prudent manner.
1st SUFFOLK
Stephen F. Lynch (D)
No reply received.
2d SUFFOLK
Dianne Wilkerson (D)
Yes. The entire Commonwealth benefits from a well, healthy citizenry. Your health should not depend on your wealth. Universal health coverage will guarantee quality health care for all.
SUFFOLK & MIDDLESEX
Robert E. Travaglini (D)
Along with Representative Stefanini, I have crafted single-payer legislation to cover all our health care needs. I urge voters to help pass our more tempered approach toward implementing universal health care today!
Vincent Lawrence Dixon (R)
Yes, by requiring a minimum health wage be paid for each hour worked, applied to a basic health security insurance policy, all insurance companies must offer, including portable nursing insurance.
SUFFOLK & NORFOLK
Brian A. Joyce (D)
No reply received.
1st WORCESTER
Harriette L. Chandler (D)
Yes, I am supportive and have worked toward this goal. However, first we must review the health care task force recommendations, identify the financing mechanism, and the plan for implementation.
Christopher P. LoConto (R)
Yes. We must take advantage of this prosperous economy and provide this basic right to those who need it most. If not now, when? If not us, who?
2d WORCESTER
Guy William Glodis (D)
No reply received.
Donald P. Davison 3 d (R)
Who could be so callous as to not provide affordable universal health care for all? Having leftist organizations such as MASSPIRG managing people 's health care, however, is not the answer.
WORCESTER, HAMPDEN, HAMPSHIRE & FRANKLIN
Stephen M. Brewer (D)
No. We need a national health care plan. If we as a state implement a universal health care plan, we will become economically uncompetitive with all other New England states.
WORCESTER & MIDDLESEX
Robert A. Antonioni (D)
I support universal coverage as soon as possible, crafted in a fashion consistent with our finite financial resources. Any such plan must not jeopardize other state priorities, particularly public education.
WORCESTER & NORFOLK
Richard T. Moore (D)
I support universal health coverage as soon as possible. Neither the League nor others have forged consensus on a specific plan or method of funding, an implementation deadline is unrealistic.
