The Massachusetts journey to expand health insurance coverage.

In July 2006, Massachusetts launched an ambitious state plan to achieve near-universal insurance coverage. This plan took shape amid inaction by the federal government and most states that were failing to address the adverse financial and health consequences faced by uninsured Americans. With strong support from leaders in health care and faith-based organizations in Massachusetts, the Democratic legislature and Republican governor agreed on a hybrid reform plan with three major components.1 First, additional federal funding has been used to provide Medicaid or fully subsidized private coverage for those with incomes below 150% of the federal poverty level. Second, a new insurance exchange, the Health Connector (www.mahealthconnector.org), has been created as an independent state agency to enroll residents with incomes between 150% and 300% of the federal poverty level in partially subsidized private insurance plans.2 Third, for residents with higher incomes, the Health Connector has worked with insurers to facilitate enrollment in unsubsidized private plans. PMC ID: PMC3270240 (February 2012)