There is an effort underway to repeal Massachusetts health care laws. A recent Boston Herald article suggests that opponents of health insurance reform will have a tough time getting their initiative on the ballot. This group, Massachusetts Against the Individual Mandate (MAIM), would like to rollback the health insurance reforms that exist in MA. Take a look at the Herald article to read more about this effort.
MAIM wants to start by repealing the individual mandate (part of the 2006 law that requires MA residents to obtain health insurance or face tax penalties), then eventually unravel the entire Act Providing Access to Affordable, Quality, Accountable Health Care. Presumably, they would prefer that the poorest Massachusetts Residents have no health insurance, and clog the ER’s.
I am not saying that I believe there are no problems with the Massachusetts health care system. However, MA is one of the few states in the country where individuals can receive discounted or free health insurance, based on income. As a licensed health insurance specialist who has participated in pilot programs with the MA Health Insurance Connector Authority, I work every day with individuals and groups who, if they were in most any state other than Massachusetts, could probably not afford health insurance.
There is also a movement to repeal the individual mandate on a national level, and the U.S. Supreme Court is set to issue a ruling by July, 2012.
link to article from Masslive.com