April 12, 2021 – Today marks the 15th anniversary of Chapter 58 of the Acts of 2006. The landmark Massachusetts health reform law expanded coverage to over 400,000 previously uninsured residents and became the model for the Affordable Care Act, a law that provided insurance to over 20 million people nationwide.
Health Care For All worked alongside coalition partners in the MassACT! Campaign and the ACT!! Coalition to help pass, implement and defend this important law. Along with previous coverage expansions, Chapter 58 reduced the uninsurance rate to the lowest in the country and helped accelerate important policy discussions about health disparities, cost and quality of care.
There is still a lot of work to do to advance health equity and ensure coverage and access for all, but without the 2006 reforms, we would be further from these goals. Health Care For All will continue to work with partners until every individual in the Commonwealth has the heath care they need.