County Assembly Endorses Medicare for All in Massachusetts
From the Office of the Cape Cod Regional Government Assembly of Delegates
Assembly Adopts Resolution Supporting Massachusetts Legislature Bills
November 25, 2025 (Barnstable, MA) – Cape Cod Regional Government’s Assembly of Delegates voted to support bills in the Massachusetts legislature establishing a single-payer healthcare system in the Commonwealth.
Full resolution adopted by the Assembly of Delegates on November 25, 2025
These bills would replace the current “multi-payer” system—a mix of private insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare—with a single, state-run insurance plan called the Massachusetts Health Care Trust. Every resident of Massachusetts would be automatically covered and could see any doctor or go to any hospital in the state. Figures from the Cape Government Finance Department indicate the switch to a single-payer system could save the county government approximately $2.5 million annually in health insurance costs.
“For me, this has been largely a human rights issue,” said Delegate Brian O’Malley of Provincetown, a retired physician who sponsored the resolution. “I’ve seen how it breaks people when they get sick.”
Thirteen of the 15 delegates voted to endorse the legislation, and to notify our state and federal Delegations and the Governor.
Delegate Frank Frederickson of Barnstable, who abstained from the vote, cautioned that the legislation requires significant refinement.
“I support the concept… but I can’t at this point vote in the affirmative for this,” Frederickson said, citing the complexity of the transition and the need for federal cooperation. Delegate James Killion of Sandwich voted against the measure.
The vote comes as healthcare costs continue to rise, a concern echoed during public testimony. Betsy Smith of Brewster, a member of the Cape Cod Coalition for Universal Health Care told delegates she would not be alive today without Medicare coverage for her cancer treatment. “The necessity for enacting this bill is now critical,” she said.
With the Assembly’s approval, Cape Cod Government’s regional legislature becomes the highest legislative body in the Commonwealth to formally endorse the Medicare for All legislation.
ABOUT THE ASSEMBLY OF DELEGATES
The Assembly of Delegates is the legislative branch of Cape Cod Regional Government. It is composed of 15 delegates—one elected from each town—with votes weighted by population, who make laws, set policies, and approve spending.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Owen Fletcher, Assembly Clerk | [email protected] | 774-327-3564
