Massachusetts: The model for national health care reform

Massachusetts led the nation in 2006 with a comprehensive health care reform law and the establishment of a new Marketplace: the Massachusetts Health Connector, designed to make affordable health insurance available to more people. Today 300,000 individuals and small-employer members have health, dental insurance, or both through the Health Connector, and our state has the highest rate of health insurance coverage in the nation. National health reform continues to build upon the successful example set by Massachusetts. As a result, individuals, families, and small businesses who go to the Health Connector can find even more options, enhanced benefits, and savings.

The Law

Massachusetts Health Care Reform became law on April 12, 2006. It is Massachusetts’ plan to reduce the number of people who have no health insurance.  It also works to improve the cost and quality of health care.Visit the “Rules & Regulations’ page to read the entire law.

Health Care Reform: Timeline

APRIL 12, 2006

Health Reform is signed into law.

OCTOBER 1, 2006

Commonwealth Care opens enrollment for people with incomes below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level.

JANUARY 1, 2007

Commonwealth Care opens for people with incomes of up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.

MAY 1, 2007

Open enrollment begins for Commonwealth Choice.

With some exceptions, Massachusetts adults must have health insurance. Any health insurance plan licensed for sale in Massachusetts qualifies at this date.

JULY 1, 2007

All employers with 11 or more full-time-equivalent employees in Massachusetts must offer a Section 125 Plan that meets Health Connector standards.  Employers who fail to do this may be charged part of the cost when an employee needs state help to pay for urgently needed medical care.

OCTOBER 1, 2007

Employers with 11 or more full-time-equivalent Massachusetts employees must make a “fair and reasonable” contribution toward an employee health plan or pay a state assessment of up to $295 per employee, per year.

DECEMBER 31, 2007

Massachusetts adults must show that they have enrolled in a health insurance plan or lose their personal income tax deduction on their 2007 state taxes.

JANUARY 1, 2008

Penalties for adults who aren’t insured go up.  Penalties will now equal half the premium of the lowest-cost Health Connector-certified insurance plan.

JANUARY 1, 2009

The health insurance benefits an adult must carry to avoid penalties now include prescription drug coverage, preventative and primary care, no annual limit on treatment for any sickness, and more.

MARCH 23, 2010

President Obama signs into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

JANUARY 1, 2014

Coverage under the ACA begins.

Facts and Figures

Get the latest summary of the key achievements of Massachusetts Health Care Reform.

Progress Reports

Each year, the Health Connector publishes a booklet highlighting what we’ve accomplished and who we’ve helped.

Reports to the Massachusetts Legislature

These data-rich reports provide a comprehensive review of our work each year.

Data on the Individual Mandate

We worked with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue to review enforcement of the requirement to enroll in health coverage.

Health Care in Massachusetts: Key Indicators

The Massachusetts Division of Health Care Finance and Policy produces a quarterly analysis of data related to Massachusetts Health Care Reform.