The Massachusetts approach: a new way to restructure state health insurance markets and public programs.
In April 2006, Massachusetts enacted legislation to reorganize both its health insurance markets and a large portion of its health care subsidy system. In this paper we consider how the Massachusetts approach differs from most previous state health reform efforts, while also noting its antecedents. We examine the policy implications of the legislation's key elements and discuss how other states might consider altering the scope and specifics of those components. We conclude that both parts of the Massachusetts reform strategy merit consideration by other states and together hold promise for expanding coverage, particularly by addressing the problem of coverage discontinuity.
Haislmaier
Edmund F
EF
Center for Health Policy Studies at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, DC, USA. ed.haislmaier@heritage.org
Owcharenko
Nina
N
D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D008404:Massachusetts; D008484:Medicaid / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D017146:Models, Organizational; D013221:State Health Plans / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000458:organization & administration; D013660:Taxes; D014481:United States; D019472:Universal Health Insurance / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000458:organization & administration