Senator Joshua Miller committed to editing and reintroducing a statewide Medicare for All bill — and the people of Rhode Island won’t let him forget

A whopping 74 Rhode Islanders, many of whom were members of the Providence Democratic Socialists of America, gave stirring verbal testimony to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in support of a statewide single-payer health insurance system. Providence DSA stands unequivocally in support of Rhode Islanders’ human right to free, comprehensive healthcare.

At 4 p.m. on March 4th, the Rhode Island State Senate began the hearing for Senate Bill #0233 and other legislation in support of federal and statewide Medicare for All programs. For over five hours, 74 Rhode Island residents, including many community members affiliated with Providence DSA, gave touching and powerful testimony to the committee. Many citizens wept for their human right to healthcare. The absence of testimony in opposition to the bill was salient.

Despite such a strong, moving show of support for this bill (and an obvious absence of opposition), the committee’s decision did not support the constituents’ heartfelt pleas. A majority of the committee voted to hold Senate Bill #0233 for another hearing. This can effectively kill the bill in committee, despite the scores of Rhode Islanders who desperately need better access to healthcare. Chairman of the committee, Senator Joshua Miller, defended this decision by making a rare promise to re-introduce the bill after edits were made. Rhode Islanders wait to see how Senator Miller will follow through.

It is worth noting that Senate Bill #0109, a related bill calling on Rhode Island’s federal delegation to support Medicare for All on a national level, passed the committee. This bill has been presented several times before, and has died in committee each time. Its passing is no small victory, and is owed to the many Rhode Islanders who made their voices heard.

For context, more than 40,000 Rhode Island residents had no health insurance before COVID-19. In the first few months of the pandemic, an additional 20,000 lost their insurance when they lost their jobs. Even among those with insurance, nearly 50% are underinsured — meaning they avoid seeking healthcare because of high deductibles or copays.

Providence DSA has launched a Medicare for All campaign in support of Senate Bill #0233 and House Bill #5628, introduced by DSA members Senator Samuel Bell and Representative David Morales, respectively. Prior to this week’s hearing, Providence DSA knocked on over 400 doors, canvassing throughout Providence and Cranston in order to ensure that Rhode Islanders’ voices are heard by their representatives. For more information on Providence DSA’s campaign, please visit https://providencedsa.org/medicare-for-all