Massachusetts shows the way
The Massachusetts health program seems to be showing its success. The ranks of the uninsured have dropped and now Massachusetts has the lowest rate of uninsured people in the nation. People going to emergency rooms for care has fallen in the state as well. Due to the popularity of the program, the state has had to look out for newer revenue sources. The way the program has shown success over the first 21 months makes it seem like this plan could become a universal health care model.
Two years ago this ambitious health care reform was enacted. Romney showed two faces as to the plan. Now that it is a success, he is extolling it’s virtues. According to the rules of the plan, everyone has to either take out health insurance or pay a tax penalty. Employers need to either offer coverage or pay a small assessment. For low income residents, there is the state-federal Medicaid.
Since the program began in mid 2006, more than 439,000 have taken out coverage. This is two thirds of the uninsured as at the beginning of the program. There has been a drop in the number of free riders as well. The program has been more successful that expected seeing the number of people enrolled and the speed with which they have enrolled
