Health
Our healthcare and public health systems are under attack. Massachusetts can lead again in delivering universal health care, and bridging the public health gap that the Federal government has created with misguided health policies.
Medicare for All - Carey supports a single-payer insurance model, often called "Medicare for All," so that people can negotiate for better care with big hospital companies and are not denied care by for-profit insurance. This would also reduce the enormous health insurance cost burden for employers, especially small businesses and local government.
Work with the MassCare coalition to build support for Medicare for All
Consider ways to build up shared insurance pools on the way to single payer, including by expanding access to the Group Insurance Commission or creating a "public option" health insurance product
Access to care & support for providers - There are shortages for primary care providers, and people are often waiting months for appointments. We need more tuition support programs for multiple types of licensure to get more providers working in primary care. Carey supported the nurses' strike at Mass General Brigham, and wants to make sure frontline healthcare and nursing home workers get a decent wage.
Public Health Consortium - With the Federal Centers for Disease Control stepping back from national leadership, create a cross-state public health consortium to bridge the gap on infectious diseases, public health recommendations, and more.
Addiction & recovery - Carey is an ally of the addiction & recovery community, and wants to see more access to recovery beds, therapeutic services, and medications. Carey also supports making it easier to get state ID for people who don't have a permanent address and are working to rebuild their lives.
Community Emergency Response - For years, Carey has been an advocate of community response teams for nonviolent 911 calls. We need more grants to help social workers, addiction services professionals and mental health clinicians respond to the drug, mental health and homelessness crises that require so much attention from our first responders. Models like the City of Lynn's CALM team should be expanded.
Disability justice - Carey will work with disability advocates to counter ablesim for state facilities, public health, social programs, individuals under state care or supervision, and more.