AMHERST – An advocacy group for single-payer health care system in Massachusetts is endorsing Vira Douangmany Cage to become the next state representative for the 3rd Hampshire District.
Mass-Care, the Massachusetts Campaign for Single Payer Health Care, on Wednesday issued a statement that Cage would best serve the district made up of Amherst, Pelham and Precinct 1 in Granby.
“This district is a beacon for the commonwealth and Vira’s personal commitment, leadership and strength will be a powerful voice for this community and progressives everywhere,” Ture Turnbull, executive director of Mass-Care, said in the statement.
Douangmany Cage said in an email that she appreciates the endorsement.
“I am overjoyed by Mass-Care’s vote of confidence in my candidacy as a true progressive Democrat and the type of grassroots campaign we are running to win the hearts and minds of the people of the 3rd Hampshire District,” Douangmany Cage said.
She observed that health costs are the biggest area in the state budget and that the way this service is delivered is broken and hurting individuals, families and businesses.
“I am committed to write and pass legislation that ensures smart cost-saving measures and initiatives that emphasize prevention and wellness,” Douangmany Cage said in the Mass-Care statement.
Douangmany Cage is one of six Democrats competing for the seat held by Ellen Story, who announced her retirement in January. The other five candidates are Belchertown High School teacher and former Amherst School Committee member Lawrence O’Brien; Amherst Business Improvement District Executive Director Sarah la Cour; former Massachusetts Broadband Institute Executive Director Eric Nakajima; professional property title examiner Bonnie MacCracken; and recent Brown University graduate and former Amherst School Committee member Solomon Goldstein-Rose.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
