Changes

The '''Massachusetts plan''' is a health care plan that became law on April 12, 2006, and which required residents of that state to either purchase health insurance by July 1, 2007, or pay a tax penalty.  [[Massachusetts]] subsidized the costs for those who cannot afford to purchase health insurance.  Massachusetts was in a better position than most states to pass this type of law because Massachusetts has a billion-dollar fund from [[tobacco]] settlements available to defray the costs, had fewer uninsured (10%) than the national average (18%), has fewer illegal aliens than other states (who are typically neither insured nor file tax returns), and has two powerful representatives in the U.S. Senate to provide additional subsidies as needed ([[Ted Kennedy]] and [[John Kerry]]).  46 million Americans do not own health insurance nationwide.

The '''Massachusetts plan''' is a health care plan that became law on April 12, 2006, and which required residents of that state to either purchase health insurance by July 1, 2007, or pay a tax penalty.  [[Massachusetts]] subsidized the costs for those who cannot afford to purchase health insurance.  Massachusetts was in a better position than most states to pass this type of law because Massachusetts has a billion-dollar fund from [[tobacco]] settlements available to defray the costs, had fewer uninsured (10%) than the national average (18%), has fewer illegal aliens than other states (who are typically neither insured nor file tax returns), and has two powerful representatives in the U.S. Senate to provide additional subsidies as needed ([[Ted Kennedy]] and [[John Kerry]]).  46 million Americans do not own health insurance nationwide.

The '''Massachusetts plan''' funds [[abortion]] at public expense.<ref>It '''treats abortion as a legitimate, health-promoting medical procedure'''. Abortion is available under the '''Massachusetts plan''' without restriction if recommended by a doctor, and the bulk of the fee to the abortionist is paid by the insurance company as funded by the public.  Only a $50 co-pay required from the mother/victim.</ref>   

The '''Massachusetts plan''' funds [[abortion]] at public expense.<ref>It treats abortion the same as legitimate, health-promoting medical procedures. Abortion is available under the '''Massachusetts plan''' without restriction if recommended by a doctor, and the bulk of the fee to the abortionist is paid by the insurance company as funded by the public.  Only a $50 co-pay required from the mother/victim.</ref>   

In 2007, these states were expected to try to pass similar laws: [[California]], [[Louisiana]], [[Maryland]], [[Minnesota]], [[Ohio]], [[Wisconsin]], [[Colorado]], [[Utah]], and [[New Mexico]], and also the [[District of Columbia]].  None did, but [[Ted Kennedy]] proposes passing a similar law in 2009.  In 2006 [[Vermont]] and [[Maine]] passed similar laws.

In 2007, these states were expected to try to pass similar laws: [[California]], [[Louisiana]], [[Maryland]], [[Minnesota]], [[Ohio]], [[Wisconsin]], [[Colorado]], [[Utah]], and [[New Mexico]], and also the [[District of Columbia]].  None did, but [[Ted Kennedy]] proposes passing a similar law in 2009.  In 2006 [[Vermont]] and [[Maine]] passed similar laws.