Medicare for All supporters to rally at Baystate Health offices in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — Advocates of universal healthcare will hold a rally on Tuesday evening at Baystate Health's corporate offices to decry the Healey administration for its 'inaction' on single-payer insurance, event organizers say. Rally organizers say they are in favor of state Senate and House bills that would establish Medicare for All, a single-payer health insurance program; that means a sole government payer. They claim Gov. Maura Healey has instead '(defended) the current for-profit system that leaves millions underinsured, bankrupted by medical debt, or entirely uninsured,' organizers said in a statement. A state Senate bill and companion House bill remain 'buried' in committee, despite broad public support, the statement said. The rally, according to organizers, is a direct response to the administration's inaction, the statement said. 'We won't wait for politicians to do the right thing. We'll force the issue. This is not a moment. This is a movement. And on September 8, Springfield will send a message that Medicare for All isn't a fringe idea; it's the only answer,' the statement said. The rally will take place on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at 280 Chestnut St. On Aug. 3, Healey announced the startup of a health care affordability working group, with an eye toward lowering costs.