Maine Voters Pass Universal Health Care Referendum By ‘Narrow’ Margin

On Nov. 6, Portland, Maine, residents voted in favor of universal health care in an "important test of public sentiment," but opponents called the margin of victory "too narrow to send a clear message." According to the final "unofficial" tally, the advisory referendum for a single-payer health care system passed by 532 votes, or a margin of 52 percent to 48 percent (Sharp, Associated Press, 11/7). The ballot measure, a non-binding resolution, calls on the Portland City Council to send a resolution to the state Legislature in support of a universal health care system (Reuters Health, 11/2). In addition, the ballot initiative would require the Portland Health and Human Services Department to issue an annual report to the council about the benefits of a single-payer system. Supporters of the ballot measure, led by the Labor Party, a five-year-old political party with chapters in 26 states, said that Portland residents could "send a strong message" to state lawmakers that Maine should become the first state to establish a universal health care system. However, opponents of the ballot initiative, including Maine insurers, said that a single-payer health care system would cost Portland residents an additional $170 million per year in taxes and limit "consumer choice." They also said that a universal health care system would lead to longer waits for treatment and limited access to specialists and prescription drugs (Harkavy, Associated Press, 10/28). The "virtually unheard of" ballot measure moved to "center stage" in the past few weeks after Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the state's largest insurer, and other insurers launched a $380,000 statewide television and radio advertising campaign to defeat the initiative (Reuters Health, 11/2). Last year, Maine lawmakers rejected a proposal to create a $3.4 billion single-payer system but created a board to study the issue. The panel is expected to issue a report by March (Sharp, Associated Press, 11/7).