New Law Causes a Big StirJuly 2007
Massachusetts health insurance is in the news, as their new law requiring all state residents to obtain health insurance took effect July 1st.
Under this law, residents with annual incomes below the federal poverty level are eligible for no-cost care. Residents with annual incomes up to three times the poverty level can enroll in state subsidized plans, while those with incomes more than three times the poverty level can choose their own coverage from new, lower-cost private plans if they are not offered coverage through their employer.
Many residents will hopefully find new, more affordable plans that will make Massachusetts health insurance easier to obtain, but one demographic remains difficult to reach: the young.
According to the
International Herald Tribune, "If you're young and healthy, it's not at the top of your mind." About 27% of Massachusetts residents ages 19-26 are uninsured, a figure much higher than the 10% of the under 65 and uninsured population as a whole.
Too often young people just don't think they need medical coverage, and even if they do, they're often among the lowest paid on the economic ladder, and likely to have debt.
In an effort to reach the young and uninsured, a Massachusetts health insurance young adult plan was launched, offering plans from $106 per month for anyone 19-26 who doesn't get
medical coverage through work or school, can't get subsidized coverage, and isn't on a parent's plan.
Facts on:
Massachusetts Health Insurance
Did you know...
Massachusetts residents are required to obtain health insurance as of July 1st?
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Will it work? Many critics feel that these plans are still too expensive, and don't cover enough medical expense. On the other hand, young people in this demographic are the healthiest, with healthcare spending at only about $1,500 per person, per year.
And as is always the case, having some kind of coverage is always better than none, especially for adventurous young people who find themselves in situations that are as risky as they are exciting!
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