LWVMA State Convention 2009 

The Massachusetts League Convention was held on May 29 and 30, 2009 at the Newton Marriott.  Its theme was Health Care Rx - a very timely topic.  Speakers included:

Former State Representative and Health Care Financing Chair, Patricia Walrath, who provided an informative history of health care reform in Massachusetts, including the April 2006 legislation	Boston Medical Center’s CEO Elaine Ullian who spoke of her compelling experience with the “Massachusetts experiment”	Nancy Turnbull who discussed health care, women and international models. Turnbull  is a senior lecturer in health policy in the Department of Health Policy and Management  and Associate  Dean for Educational Programs at the Harvard School of Public Health.

 

Steering Committee members Judie Muggia and Marilyn Mullane attended as delegates of the Winchester League of Women Voters.  They networked, attended workshops, shared ideas, elected new state officers and passed a new state budget.  Marilyn attended the Membership Workshop and heard first hand accounts of means to increase membership.  Of particular note was a regional intergenerational Civics Bee sponsored by three neighboring Leagues.  The Civics Bee generated record turnout, involvement of young people, newspaper coverage, and old fashioned fun.  Judie attended the Health Care Reform workshop and was particularly struck by the arguments supporting the Massachussetts “ universal coverage” bill and evidence showing that it is NOT working!  It was also sobering to learn that, of the “first world” countries, US life expectancy is # 7 and horrifying to learn the US is #1 in baby death rates. 

WLWV member Marilyn Mullane at the Convention	New LWVMA President Zaxaro Bennett with Arlington LWV member Patti Muldoon

 

Other LWVMA business included adding a conflict of interest provision to the State’s bylaws and adopting re-studies of the LWVMA’s position on Transportation (1975) and Home Rule (1966) for the next biennium.  The scope of the Transportation study would focus on private and public transportation issues, including the modernization of the public transit system, maintenance of highways and bridges, environmental impact, and funding.  The scope of the Home Rule study would include the implementation and effectiveness of home rule in local, county, and state governments. 

A resolution was also presented by the Amherst, Cape Cod, Harvard and Sudbury Leagues regarding possible action taken on single payer health care legislation at the national level.  This resolution passed by a large majority.  LWVMA joined other states in advocating for legislation that clearly follows well-established League consensus positions and would ask the LWVUS to actively support and lobby for Single Payer National Health Insurance.

 - Marilyn Mullane and Judie Muggia

 

At the Convention, Steering Committee member and Treasurer Elizabeth Ghoniem was chosen for the LWVMA Dynamember Award "Does your League have a newer member who stands out from the crowd?  Someone who has truly made a difference in your League?  Then this dynamic, relative newcomer in your midst is a Dyna-Member, and LWVMA's Membership and Training Committee wants to know all about your League's good fortune!"