“Health reform is delivering peace of mind to many”

Sen. Moore keynotes Nichols Health Policy Symposium

November 10, 2009 ... A key lawmaker, who was one of the state’s principal authors of the landmark Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law, said that if President Obama’s health reform effort is as successful as the state law on which it is largely modeled, it will give millions of Americans “peace of mind about the rising costs of health care and health insurance.” 

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Massachusetts health reform a model for the nation

Local legislator played integral role in shaping policy

October 21, 2009 ... As debate surrounding national health care proposals continues to rage on, Massachusetts has served as a leading example in the success of health reform. In a recent report issued by the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, over 6.3 million individuals in the Commonwealth have health insurance—maintaining Massachusetts as number one in the nation for coverage, at 97.3 percent. While there are still gaps that need to be filled for the other 2.7 percent, Massachusetts’ model has inspired many lawmakers in Washington, including the leading effort of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy. 

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Fighting the Flu—One Child, or One State, at a Time

By Senator Richard T. Moore

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC), influenza activity during October continued to increase in the United States. Flu activity is now widespread in 41 states. Nationwide, visits to doctors for influenza-like illness continued to increase and are now about equal to or higher than what is seen at the peak of many regular flu seasons. In addition, flu-related hospitalizations and deaths are continuing to go up and are above what is expected for this time of year.

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