As employers, employees, and political candidates struggle with what to do about the country’s health insurance mess, results are beginning to come in from Massachusetts.  You’ll remember that Massachusetts passed a ground breaking law in 2006 that required nearly all residents to get coverage, created subsidized programs for poorer citizens, and established a Health Care Connector plan for the higher paid to obtain lower cost insurance.  Results of the program are good so far.  They include:

• The percentage of uninsured adults decreased from 13%- 7%.   The percent of uninsured poor citizens dropped the most, but significant drops were seen among wealthier individuals as well.
• Poorer adults were more likely to see doctors and dentists than they had in the past.
• 350,000 more people became insured.
• People have paid less for medically related out-of-pocket expenses.
• 95% of Massachusetts taxpayers have become insured.  Of the 5% who weren’t, over ½ were found to be financially able to buy insurance and were “fined” for not doing so.

More information can be found in a June 3 USA Today article found at:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-06-03-mass-healthcare_N.htm