Every 3rd Friday, guest speaker(s)/moderator(s) will present a topic for consideration and exploration. All subjects and approaches to conversation are invited, from traditional lectures, talks, slide shows to experiential learning involving the audience in active participation.
Join in LAVA’s Theater of Ideas community conversation on The Promise of Single Payer Health Care on July 18th at 6 pm at the LAVA Center, 324 Main Street in Greenfield. MassCare Co-Chair Dave Cohen, MassCare Board Member Judy Atkins, and Doug Selwyn, author of a recent Recorder column on Single Payer and its impact on education will offer an information session on Single Payer and the ways it can address our current financial and health care crises in Franklin County and beyond. We have seen cities and towns, school districts, businesses and individuals facing devastating consequences to the double digit rise in health care costs, the loss of access to affordable health care, and the threatened loss of health care hospitals (including Bay State Franklin), clinics, and community health centers due to the just passed federal budget. How might Single Payer play a role in mitigating the crises we are facing?
MassCare, the organization leading the effort to pass Single Payer explains, “Single Payer Health Care removes the role of private health insurance corporations in the organization and financing of health care and brings health care dollars under public control through a Single Payer of all costs. In Massachusetts, this would result in great cost savings to working people and provide equitable access to health care for everyone.”
There are current bills submitted to the Legislature, House Bill 1405, submitted by Representatives Lindsay Sabadosa and Margaret Scarsdale, and Senate bill S 860, submitted by Senator Jamie Eldridge that would bring single payer health care to Massachusetts. This session at LAVA will clarify what the legislation would mean for the cities, towns, and residents of Massachusetts and address many of the questions that people have raised about it, including:
· What are the current and likely crises facing Franklin County in the wake of the recently passed federal budget bill?
· What is Single Payer Health Care and how does it work?
· What are expected savings gained from Single Payer?
· How does Single Payer affect health care coverage, including access, costs, and coverage for all Massachusetts residents?
· How does Single Payer specifically address concerns about health care for rural communities?
· How will Single Payer affect city budgets and what impact will that have on schools and other government programs?
· What concerns are there about Single Payer?
· Why have Single Payer bills failed in the legislature in previous years and what actions can we take to help it pass this year.
Please join us at LAVA on July 18, 2025 at 6 pm for this conversation about Single Payer Health Care. Bring your questions and join our community conversation about an issue that is more crucial than ever as we face a dismantling of our safety net, rising health care costs, and a loss of access to health care due to the just-passed federal budget. LAVA is located at 324 Main Street in Greenfield. There is no charge for this event. Donations are always welcome.
For more information, or to schedule an interview with the presenters, contact Jan@localaccess.org.
