Mass Health Insurance Mandate

So, we here in Massachusetts will now be required to have health insurance. If we can't afford it, we'll be given it. Over all, I think this is a good idea and it will save Massachusetts a lot of money. In March of 2006, there were 500,000 residents of Massachusetts that were uninsured. No these people are not made of steel.. of course they get sick like we all do sometimes, but when they get sick, they choose to go to emergency rooms rather than to a primary care doctor. The hospitals are left with unpaid bills and find it harder to cover their expenses for these visits. This lessens the value of care care that an insured resident may receive when they go to the hospital. Anyways, enough about the past. In with the new:

July 2007, individuals who are deemed to be able to afford it, will be required to have health insurance. If they don't they risk losing their deductions around tax time for the year of 2007. If you still don't have insurance by 2008, then you may be charged half of the lowest premium available, but without receiving the insurance.

To be considered in need of government assistance:
Mass Health/Subsidized Care : Income must be at $60,000 or less for a family of four., with no premiums being paid if the income is $20,000 or less for a family of four.

Small Businesses are also now required to provide insurance to their employee if they have 11+ employees.

So, why is this so great?
Well, because everyone is now required to have and/or provide insurance, they can't charge those ridiculous prices anymore. Individual premiums have been cut by 25%, there will be new programs for adults ages 19-26 that provide cheaper coverage. What else is that all this money will be put into community programs.

What do you think about it all?

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