Mass. Pushes Mandatory Health Insurance
In what would amount to the country's first universal coverage plan, the Massachusetts Legislature approved a bill that will require all its residents to buy health insurace or face legal penalties. How did they finally eke out a winning strategy for such a long-sought goal? The program is modeled on the state's policy on auto insurance.In what would amount to the country’s first universal coverage plan, the Massachusetts Legislature approved a bill that will require all its residents to buy health insurace or face legal penalties.
How did they finally eke out a winning strategy for such a long-sought goal? The program is modeled on the state’s policy on auto insurance.
Dig, Root, GrowWashington Post:
BOSTON, April 4 — The Massachusetts legislature approved a bill Tuesday that would require all residents to purchase health insurance or face legal penalties, which would make this the first state to tackle the problem of incomplete medical coverage by treating patients the same way it does cars.
Gov. Mitt Romney (R) supports the proposal, which would require all uninsured adults in the state to purchase some kind of insurance policy by July 1, 2007, or face a fine. Their choices would be expanded to include a range of new and inexpensive policies — ranging from about $250 per month to nearly free — from private insurers subsidized by the state.
Romney said the bill, modeled on the state’s policy of requiring auto insurance, is intended to end an era in which 550,000 people go without insurance and their hospital and doctor visits are paid for in part with public funds.
This year, we’re all on shaky ground, and the need for independent journalism has never been greater. A new administration is openly attacking free press — and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Your support is more than a donation. It helps us dig deeper into hidden truths, root out corruption and misinformation, and grow an informed, resilient community.
Independent journalism like Truthdig doesn't just report the news — it helps cultivate a better future.
Your tax-deductible gift powers fearless reporting and uncompromising analysis. Together, we can protect democracy and expose the stories that must be told.
This spring, stand with our journalists.
Dig. Root. Grow. Cultivate a better future.
Donate today.
Health & Wellness
A New York-based nonprofit, Undue Medical Debt, will pay off old medical bills affecting 20 million people. The group admits it isn't enough.
Economic Justice
Uncertainty at the federal level is fueling attacks on the program by GOP state lawmakers. Insurance for millions could vanish.
Editorial Cartoons
Editorial Cartoons
Health & Wellness
The "unwinding" of pandemic-era Medicaid expansion programs highlights the acute need for a complete overhaul of the U.S. system.
Health & Wellness
Nobody tallies the number of injured research subjects in the U.S., nor are there federal systems in place to help them.
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.