In our democracy, decent healthcare should be a right for all; not just a privilege for the wealthy few. But let’s face it: the majority of personal bankruptcies are due to huge and mounting medical bills when ordinary folks get sick. Our state senator, Eloise Vitelli, who is up for re-election in SD 23, is a leader who knows that our democracy can do better when it comes to healthcare.

During her term in the Senate, Vitelli has consistently voted consistently to expand healthcare to Maine’s most vulnerable populations. She supported a measure to increase access to essential health services for low-income women — a bill that would not just save lives, but save the state between $1.9 million to $3.3 million annually. Eloise also supports expanding access to live-saving healthcare for 70,000 Mainers, including 3,000 veterans — an outreach that will create thousands of jobs at a time when our economy lags well behind the nation, and it dead last in New England!

Access to healthcare for all Mainers makes economic sense, but above all, it’s just the right thing to do. So come November, Eloise has my vote and I hope also, for all of those reading this letter, yours.

Avery Meyers
West Bath