Insuring individuals with pre-existing medical conditions: Does the Massachusetts health insurance mandate sufficiently address the coverage problems of the chronically ill?

摘要

Finding health insurance coverage can be a tough challenge for individuals with preexisting medical conditions since their health status typically renders them too expensive to insure. This thesis examines how these individuals travail Massachusetts' health system under Chapter 58 of the Acts of 2006, an Act Providing Access to Affordable, Quality, Accountable Healthcare---the Commonwealth's health care reform law. It also addresses whether the Massachusetts response to the preexisting medical condition issue can serve as a model for the nation. Because of persistent limitations in the system, the paper argues that the Massachusetts model is not yet adequate for the nation. One of its key findings is that reforms should focus on cost and coverage restrictions that impact the chronically ill, in spite of their access to health insurance. Another is that premium costs could become a financial burden for those that must purchase policies without subsidies. The research's findings can instruct states that are implementing health insurance laws and the nation as it undertakes healthcare reform.