Previous Page | Print this Document

Legislature celebrates first anniversary of the passage of Health Care reform in Massachusetts

Photo: (L-R) Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre; Rep. Robert S. Hargraves, D-Groton; Rep. Patricia Walrath, D-Stow; Rep. Ronald Mariano, D- Quincy; Senate President Therese Murray, D-Plymouth; Sen. Moore; Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, D-Boston; and Senator Joan M. Menard, D-Somerset cut the cake at the celebration of the first anniversary of the passage of the health care reform law. Moore, Walrath, Murray, Mariano and Hargraves were members of the conference committee that negotiated the compromise bill last year.

April 4, 2007...Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, legislative leaders and health care advocates gathered at the State House today to commemorate the passage of the landmark law that became Chapter 58 of the Acts of 2006. 

The bill, which became law a week later, set out an ambitious agenda to deliver quality, affordable health insurance to every citizen of Massachusetts. It redeployed public funds to more effectively cover currently uninsured low-income populations, and made quality health coverage more affordable for all residents of the Commonwealth. 

The bill also promoted individual responsibility by creating a requirement that everyone who can afford health insurance obtain it, while also addressing concerns about barriers to health care access and maintaining a strong safety net that has historically distinguished the Commonwealth.

A year later, the compromise bill crafted by the House and Senate has proven to be a strong foundation upon which a dramatic overhaul of the health care system is taking shape and bringing the goal of achieving nearly universal health insurance coverage even closer into reach.

Previous Page | Print this Document