Changes

The '''Massachusetts plan''' is a health care law that 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 the 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 novel health care law 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 the 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 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>   

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.

Long delays to see a doctor due to an increase in patients seeking benefits for their insurance payments.  Some patients have felt compelled to share their doctors' appointments with other patients have been the result of the '''Massachusetts plan'''.<ref>http://www.aapsonline.org/newsoftheday/00113</ref>  Family Research Council explains the Plan in detail.<ref>http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=IF07L03</ref> The cost overruns in the first year were 50% of budgeted amount.

 

By 2008 there were long delays to see a doctor, due to an increase in patients seeking benefits for their insurance payments.  Some patients have even felt compelled to share their doctors' appointments with other patients, rather than not see a doctor at all.<ref>http://www.aapsonline.org/newsoftheday/00113</ref>  Family Research Council explains the Plan in detail.<ref>http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=IF07L03</ref>

Critics suggest that this approach of the state requiring its residents to purchase a type of product is contrary to free enterprise.  Many people choose "self-insurance" voluntarily, and forcing them to buy a product they do not want is both unusual and probably unhelpful to the economy, as it will take money away from where it might otherwise be spent.  Even car insurance, which many people think is mandatory, has exemptions for self-insurance and sometimes religious belief in most states.  Also, car insurance laws are justified to protect innocent third parties victimized by accidents, not to protect the owner of the insurance.<ref>http://www.jpands.org/vol11no3/schlafly.pdf</ref>

Critics suggest that this approach of the state requiring its residents to purchase a type of product is contrary to free enterprise.  Many people choose "self-insurance" voluntarily, and forcing them to buy a product they do not want is both unusual and probably unhelpful to the economy, as it will take money away from where it might otherwise be spent.  Even car insurance, which many people think is mandatory, has exemptions for self-insurance and sometimes religious belief in most states.  Also, car insurance laws are justified to protect innocent third parties victimized by accidents, not to protect the owner of the insurance.<ref>http://www.jpands.org/vol11no3/schlafly.pdf</ref>