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Massachusetts health reform turns two
Sen. Richard T. Moore plays key role

April 4, 2008 ... On April 12th, Massachusetts Health Reform, also known as Chapter 58 of the Acts of 2006, reaches its second anniversary. Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, who was one of the primary authors of the landmark legislation, notes that the program has dramatically exceeded expectations in enrollment of previously uninsured residents. 

While the state continues working on implementation challenges, some major accomplishments have been achieved to date: 

  • More than 300,000 people have found coverage:

                     - 176,000 are enrolled in Commonwealth Care. 
                     - MassHealth has expanded by 90,000. 
                     - Private health insurance enrollment has grown by 111,000, according to the 
                        MA Assn. of Health Plans -- 17,000 through Commonwealth Choice.
  • Uncompensated, or free, care spending dropped 34% since 2006. 
  • Non-group or individual health insurance premiums have lowered by as much as 42%, and these premiums purchase better coverage. 
  • The share of employers offering health insurance holds steady at 72%, well above the national average. 
  • Public support for health reform continues, at 59% in January 2008.
  • The Department of Public Health has launched a statewide hospital infection prevention program.
  • A first-in-the-nation Pediatric Palliative Care Program is providing support and comfort to seriously ill children and their families.
  • A three hospital demonstration of Computerized Physician Order Entry systems that improve care and prevent errors has been successful in proving cost savings.
  • A number of other states, and the federal government, are considering adoption of some of the successful features of the Massachusetts plan.

“While I am pleased with the overall success of the program to date, as a legislator, I am even more pleased when I hear about success stories concerning my constituents,” Sen. Moore stated.  Health Care for All, the statewide healthcare advocacy organization, recently featured one of Sen. Moore’s constituents on its web site.  The reports states:

“Sunny (name is changed to protect privacy) is 56 and single from Uxbridge.  She has been uninsured since 1989 when she decided to 'take a vow of poverty' and become an actor.  She says acting doesn't pay the bills, so she also works as a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) and is paid $10.84 per hour.  Since she hasn't been offered health insurance as a PCA or as an actor and can’t afford to pay out of pocket, she says her version of health care has been looking up herbal remedies in holistic medicine books.  She is ecstatic to find out she can see a doctor to diagnose her when she is sick.  She will pay no premium for comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care through CommCare.”

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