Daily News Updates - Health Insurance News

Keep the Ball Rolling, Pt.1 – It’s that time again.

Massachusetts has scored well so far in their pioneering attempt to be the first model of how to successfully provide health insurance to all their population. They have, thus far provided health insurance to well over half of their people. The next hurdle is right around the corner, however. They have been operating under an extended Medicaid provision from the Fed, in a joint agreement to make this pilot work. This is a critical element in the health insurance subsidies for the poor and the lower-income segment.

The project has received favorable reviews, but little has been said about renewing the trial joint effort which is scheduled to expire at month’s end. One of the original founders of this monumental bipartisan effort is Michael Leavitt, US Health and Human Services Secretary. Back in 2006 he was lauding this universal health insurance program as a ‘national model’ and was very supportive when granting the original Medicaid extension at that time. The time has come, now, for him to do it again. This whole ‘landmark initiative’ is depending on it. So the Massachusetts’ Governor Patrick is meeting with Mr. Leavitt on June 19 in order to secure the ‘Medicaid waiver’ renewal. When Patrick started his term as Governor of Massachusetts, he was bestowed these words by his predecessor Mitt Romney, one of the founders of the plan: "Massachusetts is now at the forefront of a revolution in the way we think about healthcare." Romney continued, "The reforms we crafted bring coverage to all our citizens." The program is far from complete, yet, and only a little over half are covered with health insurance to this point. But progress has been impressive and is expected to continue in that light.

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