An Overdue Prescription

This week has been a proud one for the state of Massachusetts. In a landmark, bipartisan initiative, our state is set to become the first to offer universal health care. Pending the signature of Governor W. Mitt Romney, the state legislature’s bill will, over the course of three years, find ways to insure the state’s over 500,000 citizens currently without coverage.

The system adopted carefully balances economic incentives by compelling individuals to take action on health care decisions when they previously had not, reducing costs for all. That means people who previously opted out of coverage when they could afford it will have to make a contribution through taxation. Moreover, heads of companies with over 10 employees will be penalized for leaving their workers out to dry. With economic realities in mind, this bill is realistic and applicable, achieving a good balance between public and private without furthering deficits. Indeed, it could even help reduce inefficiencies by driving down costs.

Not only do we praise the ideal behind the bill, but also how our political representatives achieved it. This bill was born of true and productive cooperation between Republicans and Democrats alike, leading to unanimous approval in the Senate and passage by a vote of 154-2 in the House. Moreover, after federal attempts by the Clinton White House and state efforts by Hawaii and Illinois failed, Massachusetts is proving that this problem can indeed be addressed.

Governor Romney is right to point out that this plan is “something historic, truly landmark, a once-in-a-generation opportunity.” It leads to a more humane society, where our economic development allows us to provide for the the needs of our poorest citizens.

Despite outspending all its peers on health care per capita, the United States is one of the few industrialized countries in the world that does not have a health care solution for its neediest citizens. We hope that Massachusetts’ step in the direction of helping its poor is a harbinger of more to come. With our state leading the way, we would strongly welcome similar bills in other states of the Union and supportive action on a federal level, thus prescribing a much needed medicine for the inequalities of our country: health care for all.