GBDSA statement on Cummings and the M4A Bill

Baltimore DSA would like to thank Rep. Elijah Cummings for co-sponsoring H.R. 1384, The Medicare for All Act of 2019. This is the only bill in the House that satisfies DSA's five demands: (1) It gets rid of the private health insurance industry and puts everyone under a single, federally administered, health insurance program; (2) It provides comprehensive coverage and pays for any service requiring a medical professional, including long term care, reproductive care, dental, vision, mental health, and pharmaceuticals; (3) It is free at the point of service, requiring no co-pays or out of pocket expenses; (4) It achieves universal coverage for all U.S. residents; (5) It includes a jobs initiative and severance for all employees of private health insurance industry.

Rep. Cummings has been a stalwart ally of M4A in the past and it's great to have him back in the fight. But this would not have happened without a coordinated pressure campaign organized by Baltimore DSA and the Maryland Progressive Healthcare Coalition, of which we are a part. Thanks to the DSA canvassers who knocked doors in Cummings' district. Thanks to the brilliant work of the Coalition organizers who did the same, and even met with him in person to change his mind. But, most of all, thanks to the many people who took time out of their busy lives to talk with us and to call his office. This is how we win!

In Solidarity, Baltimore DSA