Health care ballot question clears first hurdle

By Associated Press, 12/3/2003
BOSTON (AP) A proposed ballot question that would rewrite the state constitution to make sure no Massachusetts resident lacks health care cleared an initial hurdle Wednesday.

Backers of the question say they filed the signatures of more than 71,000 Massachusetts voters with the secretary of state's office before a 5 p.m. deadline on Wednesday.

No other question met the deadline.

Officials from the secretary of state's office are working to determine the exact number of certified signatures on the health care petition. Ballot questions need a minimum of 65,825 certified signatures before they can be placed on the ballot.

Because the ballot question seeks to change the state constitution, it must be approved by at least 25 percent of two successive sessions of the state Legislature before it can be placed on the ballot no earlier than 2006.

The amendment would make it the ''obligation and duty'' of the state to ''ensure that no Massachusetts resident lacks comprehensive, affordable and equitably financed health insurance coverage for all medically necessary preventative, acute and chronic health care and mental health care services, prescription drugs and devices.''

Supporters say if they are successful, Massachusetts will become the first state in the nation to add such health care protections to its constitution.
Several other questions failed to clear the signature hurdle, including proposals to get rid of the automobile excise tax, allow local school districts to ditch the MCAS test, and end tolls on the Tobin Bridge and on the Massachusetts Turnpike west of Route 128.

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