On the Road to Universal Coverage

In April 2006, Massachusetts passed legislation intended to move the state to almost universal coverage within three years and, in conjunction with that expansion, to improve access to affordable, high-quality health care. In roughly the first year under reform, uninsurance among working-age adults was reduced by almost half among those surveyed, dropping from 13% in Fall 2006 to 7% in Fall 2007. At the same time, access to care improved and the share of adults with high out-of-pocket costs and problems paying medical bills dropped. Despite higher than anticipated costs, most residents of the state continued to support reform. Health Affairs, Web Exclusive 3 June 2008. www.healthaffairs.org

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