Since the landmark Massachusetts heath care reform law was enacted by former Governor Mitt Romney on April 12, 2006, the Commonwealth has since gained one of the highest insured rates in the nation. Over the past decade, hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents and small businesses have been able to access high-quality and affordable coverage through the Massachusetts Health Connector.

PRESS RELEASE: State House Leaders Issue Statements on Ten Year Anniversary of Universal Health Care in Massachusetts

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 (ACA).

JANUARY 1, 2014

Coverage under the ACA begins.