SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND
"Our reform [Massachusetts'] is the model for national healthcare reform. I’m proud of that. And I think it can work and will work nationally." 5
- Deval Patrick
Five years ago, Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to require that residents have health insurance. The legislation served as a model for national leaders and President Barack Obama as they hashed out and passed the U.S. healthcare law. While federal budget battles and repeal threats shadow the national law, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick explored in this Forum webcast two important themes for the future of the state's healthcare reform -- containing costs while increasing quality.
Background
- A Partisan Subtext Tinges Health Law’s Fifth Anniversary
- Boston Globe
- Fifty-nine Percent Support Massachusetts Landmark 2006 Health Reform Law
- HSPH/Boston Globe poll
- Poll Shows Strong Support for MA Health Reform Law
- HSPH/Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation poll
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