MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE

Massachusetts has recently adopted a mandatory health insurance law. The law is called "An Act Providing Access to Affordable, Quality, Accountable Health Care." The law is similar to car insurance laws. It calls for mandatory health insurance for all Massachusetts residents. Residents will have to provide proof of health insurance on their Massachusetts tax returns. Without proof of health insurance, Massachusetts residents will forfeit any personal exemptions on their tax return and may be subject to other penalties.

Many believe this is an important step toward health care reform. Others worry about the affordability of mandatory health insurance. It would appear that Massachusetts has already prepared for the affordability aspect, creating Commonwealth Care Health Insurance. This health insurance will be made available to anyone who is living at 300% Federal Poverty Level or below. It will be offered on a sliding scale basis. Health Insurance Plans offered through this coverage will have no deductibles.

The rest of the country will surely be watching as Massachusetts carries out its new health insurance law in the coming years. Without question people are more valuable than cars. If car insurance is mandatory in all 50 states and society finds that acceptable, than it only follows that health insurance should also be mandatory.

Massachusetts believes that mandatory health insurance is the best way to protect the residents of the state. We will soon find out if this is true. If it is you can be sure that mandatory health insurance will soon be a federal requirement.