Testimony submitted by: André Blanchet, President, & Leo V. Sarkissian, Executive Director, The Arc of Massachusetts
Submitted to: Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
Date: June 7, 2005
Subject: Health care / Health Access & Affordability Act



June 7, 2005

Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
Room 236
State House
Boston, MA02133

To Whom it May Concern:
 

We are writing to express our support of the Health Access and Affordability Act (S738/H2777).

People with mental retardation and their families must have access to quality, affordable health care in order to survive. Health care is not a luxury, but a basic requirement for everyone. The rapid growth in the number of uninsured in Massachusetts, and the sharp upswing in health care costs, have hit hard in our community. We understand that everyone has a stake in health care. We urge the Committee to support the Health Access and Affordability Act, to increase access to affordable coverage for everyone in Massachusetts.

Sincerely,

André Blanchet
President

Leo V. Sarkissian
Executive Director