There’s a push to get a question about universal healthcare in Maine onto the ballot next year.

The Maine Monitor reports that 125 volunteers appeared at polling locations across the state during the primaries last month, with organizers saying they got around 20,000 signatures closer to their goal.

The question would instruct the Legislature to develop a bill by 2028 that would establish a health care system that ensures all Maine residents can choose comprehensive, publicly funded health care, or stay with private care. The specifics would be left up to lawmakers in Augusta.

The nonprofit group behind the question, Health Care for All Maine, attempted a similar initiative back in 2021 under the name Maine Healthcare Action, but were interrupted by the pandemic.

“Nobody is satisfied with the current health care financing situation in the United States,” Henk Goorhuis, the group’s board chair told The Maine Monitor. Goorhuis added that the situation may “deteriorate further” in the coming years.

The question needs over 67 thousand signatures to appear on the ballot.

To read the original Maine Monitor article, click here.