Study finds Massachusetts health plan has worked, though there are challenges

A year after taking effect, Massachusetts's health care program halved the number of adults without coverage from about 13 percent to 7 percent, a comprehensive survey has found (Source: “Study Praises Mass. Health-Care Program,” Washington Post, June 5, 2008)

The study, conducted by the Urban Institute, of health coverage among working-age adults found that more people in the state are getting medical treatment, including preventive care, and residents are paying less on average in out-of-pocket costs.

The study also noted that this reform faces certain challenges.  One challenge is that the initial costs exceeded the project amount by 33 percent.  As a result, Massachusetts had to appropriate about $153 million more than the $469 million budgeted for the first year. 

In addition, the report found that some people had trouble finding medical providers and getting appointments.  The authors suggested that this challenge could be because of increased demand for those services, a shortage of primary care doctors or the newly insured's unfamiliarity with the system.