does massachusetts have universal health care (Boston, Worcester: middle-class, insurance, to buy)

[amyalta]

However, I wonder what chance the state would have had of bringing it in, if they had not involved private companies? Isn't America more or less in thrall to these companies?

[LeavingMA]

My favorite part about MA health insurance is if you can't afford it they will fine you and force you to get it. Now, that makes sense.

[in_newengland]

My favorite part about MA health insurance is if you can't afford it they will fine you and force you to get it. Now, that makes sense.

I know. LOL Not really funny that the higher ups are so completely out of touch with the reality of why people go without health insurance. People don't have health insurance because they can't afford health insurance.

So they're going to fine them? They're going to get blood out of a stone? Earth to MA govt------did you actually think that people go without health insurance because they WANT TO??? That if you FINE them then money will suddenly pour down to them from heaven so that they can pay your fines AND buy health insurance?

[brightdoglover]

My understanding is that the subsidized part of the Mass. required health insurance (for low-income people) was being paid for by the free care pool that exists for hospitals that take uninsured people. It now appears that there isn't remotely enough money for the subsidies, plus the free care pool is now decimated, and there are plenty of people still arriving at hospitals without payment or insurance, so hospitals that take more free care are in trouble.
The "fine" for this year if one doesn't have insurance is simply taking back one's state tax rebate, something like $219. Supposedly it'll go up iin the future, but that's all it is.
A lot of people have signed up for Commonwealth Care or subsidized insurance (or simply signed up because of the mandate, whether qualifiying for the subsidy) but a lot have not.
Not only is this not "universal coverage," as in single-payer, I understand that many states don't have that original free care pool available for subsidies, and the Mass. program wouldn't begin to be portable to other states. Mitt Romney tried to get some credit for "universal coverage." Fortunately, the voters ditched him for many other reasons. But he sure didn't bring in "universal coverage."

[willdufauve]

I heard the deductible for the low income care is 1,000 per year.

I pay about $350 every other week for health insurance. My co-pays and deductibles keep going up every renewal year. If you have a serious accident or chronic illness you still get hit with a lot of payments out of pocket. Some providers will even get a lien on your house if you have a large bill you can't pay, like for cancer.

[LeavingMA]

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

My understanding is that the subsidized part of the Mass. required health insurance (for low-income people) was being paid for by the free care pool that exists for hospitals that take uninsured people. It now appears that there isn't remotely enough money for the subsidies, plus the free care pool is now decimated, and there are plenty of people still arriving at hospitals without payment or insurance, so hospitals that take more free care are in trouble.
The "fine" for this year if one doesn't have insurance is simply taking back one's state tax rebate, something like $219. Supposedly it'll go up iin the future, but that's all it is.
A lot of people have signed up for Commonwealth Care or subsidized insurance (or simply signed up because of the mandate, whether qualifiying for the subsidy) but a lot have not.
Not only is this not "universal coverage," as in single-payer, I understand that many states don't have that original free care pool available for subsidies, and the Mass. program wouldn't begin to be portable to other states. Mitt Romney tried to get some credit for "universal coverage." Fortunately, the voters ditched him for many other reasons. But he sure didn't bring in "universal coverage."

The fine isn't that bad for this year, but it is going up a lot for next year. I just spoke with someone who is got fined and is being forced to get insurance.

[in_newengland]

Originally Posted by willdufauve

I heard the deductible for the low income care is 1,000 per year.

I pay about $350 every other week for health insurance. My co-pays and deductibles keep going up every renewal year. If you have a serious accident or chronic illness you still get hit with a lot of payments out of pocket. Some providers will even get a lien on your house if you have a large bill you can't pay, like for cancer.

Well that's pretty horrible too. I think it's as bad as that COBRA insurance that they tell you to get when you lose your job. All of it is too expensive. I hope whichever candidate wins the Presidential election can really get affordable national health insurance for all.

I always thought we had a right to LIFE, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. How can you even pursue happiness when you are consumed with worries about your own health care or when you know that money COULD buy you health.

[ChunkyMonkey]

It takes is one bad accident and you will be financially wiped out without health insurance. I think it is a good thing to be forced to carry it. No one gripes about car insurance.

[skytrekker]

The state of Connecticut is grappling with health care as well. The Governor here wants a private program called the Charter Oak Health Plan see

CONCERNS ABOUT RELL HEALTH CARE PLAN HIGHLIGHT FRUSTRATION WITH CURRENT SYSTEM - healthcare4every1.org
where people w/o Insurance will pay $75-250.00 a month based on income.

Its viability has been questioned by the Democrats in the house & Senate who want universal coverage. It seems the Federal Government in the end is going to have to fund these state programs by at least 50%. In the end it seems mandates do not work as a means of providing universal coverage.

The only way of achieving the goal of truly Universal Coverage will be single payer, as in Western Europe, Canada etc.
As much as many resist it- 'Socialized Medicine' or an expansion of Medicare is the only solution.

[findingmesomeday]

Originally Posted by LeavingMA

My favorite part about MA health insurance is if you can't afford it they will fine you and force you to get it. Now, that makes sense.

It makes sense----only in Massachusetts. Such is the crazy political life we lead here. LOL