OCTOBER 5, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAPE CARE PROGRESSES TOWARDS REGIONAL
SINGLE-PAYER UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE PLAN

The Cape Care Working Group reports steps toward development of a regional single-payer universal health care plan for the Cape, following their most recent meeting on September 30^th,

The initiating Cape Care Campaign Resolution has now been endorsed by town meeting voters in nearly 80% of the towns that have considered it.

Paralleling petitions being sent by each of the approving towns' Clerks, the Cape Care Working Group has met officially with the County Assembly of Delegates and the County Commissioners.

The discussion at these meetings highlighted ways in which the Working Group and the County officials can now move forward together in tandem and continuing dialogue, to gain public input, foster the study, and if the study's conclusions and its business plan support going forward, develop and carry out the appropriate public referendum.

Toward this end participation in the Working Group is being expanded and its work organized into the three separate tasks presently drafted as:

• Economic Expectations: To develop a budget estimate for a comprehensive healthcare model. To explore the potentials for recovery of our multiple current health expenditures. To evaluate the financing mechanisms available for necessary additional revenues. To consider and evaluate the effects on key stakeholders - families, small businesses, town governments and health care providers.
• Governance: To recommend the most effective organizational forms. To outline the probable process. To identify the necessary interfaces and waivers - at all levels of government - to achieve the desired structure. To explore and develop models for community governance, including necessary representation of all identifiable significant interests. To consider the process of policy development and implementation. To explore existing and proposed universal care models for relevance and usefulness. To guide the process of drafting any proposed public referendum at the conclusion of the study process.
• Health & Wellness: To develop a proposed standard set of health care services, based on best-model practices, to be used for expense projections. To seek a process to maximize population-wide health care outcomes. To coordinate with Barnstable Co. Department of Human Services on resources required for residents presently experiencing difficulties with access. To work with providers, particularly institutional, to evaluate the practical implications of the proposed model. To consider a public health policy model in order to assure available care, maximize overall health benefits, and use resources most effectively.

The Working Group has prepared a preliminary template to be followed by each the three Task Forces in developing all the above material:

1. Define key questions to be asked and answered.
2. Define and involve key representatives and stakeholders.
3. Determine information needed for process.
4. Engage consultant services as possible; develop funding sources for same.
5. Frame necessary decisions and policy options to facilitate discussions.
6. Conduct participatory public discussions to help in guiding the evolution of the process.
7. Evaluate existing or proposed legislation for relevance and utility in model development.
8. Draft and report preliminary Conclusions and Recommendations to the Working Group within 12 months.

In other action the Working Group:

1. adopted the name Cape Care Coalition as the umbrella for all its efforts
2. agreed to affiliate with MassCare, a statewide coalition focused on single payer health care
3. initiated steps toward fundraising and creation of a 501C non-profit corporation
4. articulated the need for a 1/3 to 1/2 time coordinator for this phase of the effort, and an appropriate office space and
5. considered a preliminary budget.

For further information you may contact DougMarshall at dmarshall8 (at) adelphia.net.