"439,000 more get health coverage; State shows big gains in landmark program" by Kay Lazar, Globe Staff | August 20, 2008
In the past two years, Massachusetts has embarked on a closely watched experiment to become the first state requiring virtually all residents to have health insurance. The figures released yesterday provide some of the most compelling evidence so far that the experiment is working.
Figures released by the state!
Still, the economics of the ambitious campaign remains uncertain. Massachusetts is locked in delicate negotiations with federal authorities to determine if the state will continue getting billions of dollars in special assistance to help make the experiment work.
Massachusetts has requested more than $11 billion in federal support during the next three years to pay for dozens of healthcare programs, including its crown jewel, its nearly universal health coverage system. The federal payments, which are crucial to keeping the landmark program afloat.
The law now required nearly everyone to have insurance or face a $219 tax penalty.
This is worse than socialism!
They got trillions for wars, billions for, oh, you've heard all that already!
And look who made the Boston Globe again:
Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, a business-funded public policy group.
Yeah, the Globe loves its pro-tax (unless it him and his), pro-business spokesman!!!
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