How the GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services) Could Hurt Maine

Health Care:

The GATS could undermine Dirigo Health because it receives public funding. Additionally, it would be GATS-illegal for Maine to create a single payer universal health insurance system that covers everyone. The GATS does not allow the creation of new government monopolies and a universal health insurance system would be just that.

Working Families & Jobs:

The GATS poses serious threats to the jobs, wages and occupational health and safety of the nearly 80% of U.S. workers now employed in the service sector. GATS would accelerate privatization and undermine wages, unions and public service workers. The GATS would provide a dangerous new tool for politicians who favor privatizing a broad array of federal, state & local government jobs.

Land Use & Environmental Policies:

Maine communities have been putting size cap restrictions on big box development. Such policies conflict with the GATS rules. GATS could also undermine the use of economic impact analyses, hours of operation regulations and historical district preservation rules. The GATS could overrule communities ability to set their own policies.

Education:

US trade negotiators are proposing to expand the GATS to cover higher education. If this moves forward, it would undermine public funding for universities and accelerate privatization of higher education. Institutional accreditation standards and procedures, progressive admissions policies and student loan programs could also be put at risk.