This survey finds that, with a July 1 implementation milestone approaching, most Massachusetts residents support a new state law to provide health coverage to almost all residents, including the individual mandate that requires residents to obtain coverage or pay a penalty.

The poll, conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, the Harvard School of Public Health and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, finds support for the new health insurance law has increased. In this recent poll, two-thirds (67%) of state residents who have heard of the new health insurance law support it, compared with 16% who oppose it. In a poll conducted September 2006, six in 10 residents (61%) who had heard of the law said they supported it.

In addition, more than half (57%, compared to 52% in September) say they support the law’s individual mandate requirements, compared with 36% who oppose it.

Residents who support the law mainly say it is because they believe “it is the right thing to do” (90% of those who support say this is a major reason) and because they believe broader coverage will keep costs down by providing more incentives for preventive care (79%). Among the small group of residents who oppose the law, most say people shouldn’t be required to buy insurance if they can’t afford it (72%) or if they don’t want it (61%).

The random-sample telephone poll of 1,003 residents was conducted between May 29 and June 10 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points for results based on the full sample. The margin of error is higher for results based on subgroups.

News Release

Chartpack

Toplines

These toplines provide the detailed results from the June 2007 Kaiser/Harvard/BCBSMA Foundation poll of Massachusetts residents on the new health reform law.

Toplines (.pdf)

This chartpack highlights key results from the June 2007 Kaiser/Harvard/BCBSMA Foundation poll of Massachusetts residents on the new health reform law.

Chartpack (.pdf)

Massachusetts’ law to cover their uninsured population combines an individual mandate on the purchase of health insurance with government subsidies to ensure affordability. Full implementation of the plan is expected by July 1, 2007. This fact sheet summarizes the plan and its implications.

Fact Sheet (.pdf)

Providing health coverage for the entire family can both help to increase coverage of children and assist low-income families in obtaining more affordable health care services. This brief uses data from the 2005 Kaiser Low-Income Coverage and Access Survey to examine health coverage, access and the financial impacts of health care for low-income parents and their families.

Issue Brief (.pdf)

The Global HIV Prevention Working Group issued its fifth report, Bringing HIV Prevention to Scale: An Urgent Global Priority.

The Global HIV Prevention Working Group is an international panel of more than 50 leading public health experts, clinicians, biomedical, and behavioral researchers, advocates and people affected by HIV/AIDS, convened by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Kaiser Family Foundation. This is the fifth report released by the Working Group.

News Release

Executive Summary (.pdf)

Full Report: Bringing HIV Prevention to Scale: An Urgent Global Priority (.pdf)

From a Global Perspective: Interview with Helene Gayle

This brief analyzes health insurance coverage and access for low-income non-citizen adults and discusses provider insights into the obstacles this population faces in obtaining coverage and receiving care. Overall, non-citizen adults account for just under one-fourth of all non-elderly uninsured adults. Low-income uninsured adults are at particularly high risk for being uninsured due to very limited access to both private and public coverage.

The brief finds that, largely due to their high uninsured rate, low-income non-citizen adults have very poor access to care. Although they have more limited access to care, low-income non-citizen adults are not relying on the emergency room for their care. Instead, many rely on clinics and health centers.

Issue Brief (.pdf)

On June 28, 2007, Foundation Vice President Tricia Neuman testified before the House Budget Committee about Medicare Advantage plans and their implications for beneficiaries.

Testimony (.pdf)

Dominic Chavez, photographer, and John Donnelly, reporter, Washington bureau, The Boston GlobeExamine the effectiveness of public and private U.S. funding and programs to help AIDS orphans in Africa

Sheri Fink, M.D., freelance reporter, New York City Medical care in times of crisis and disaster, focus on New Orleans, post-Katrina

Deborah Franklin, acting deputy science/health editor, National Public Radio, Washington, D.C. Genetic testing and its implications for individuals and their health insurance coverage

Felice J. Freyer, medical writer, The Providence Journal, Rhode Island The causes and costs of premature births

Tom Jennings, documentary producer, New York City Immigrant health issues, migrant workers, and health policies related to immigration

Watch the documentary “Seeking Cures With No Prescription” (New York Times, 10/10/08)

Joshua Norman, health reporter, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Mississippi Mental health and trauma recovery in the Gulf region Read Josh’s blog, “Post Katrina Mental Health“

“Resiliency After Trauma Can Lead to Spiritual Growth” (Sun Herald, 12/24/07) “Traumas Can Lead to Spiritual Growth” (Sun Herald, 12/23/07) “Katrina’s Aftermath: news with no end in sight” (Nieman Reports, Fall 2007 Issue) “Resiliency Training Aims to Improve First Responders’ Coping” (Sun Herald, 10/13/07)

Czerne M. Reid, health and science reporter, The State, Columbia, South Carolina Federal and state funding for HIV/AIDS treatment and care, and the economic and social impact of the disease in South Carolina

T.R. Reid, Rocky Mountain bureau chief, The Washington PostA comparative analysis of other countries’ health care financing and delivery systems and the lessons for the U.S.

“Sick Around the World” (Frontline, April 2008)

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This paper analyzes the Medicaid Integrity Program, a new federal effort within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that was enacted as part of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 to ensure program integrity in Medicaid.

This paper defines program integrity as ensuring that health and long-term care services are provided to beneficiaries effectively and efficiently, with a goal of ensuring that quality care and tax dollars are not being put at risk through violations of the rules or abuses of the system. The analysis in this paper relies on reviews of the existing literature and perspectives provided by a group of experts in program integrity in Medicaid.

Full report (.pdf)

Executive Summary (.pdf)