The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #69141

Mara Yerow, MPH, CHE, Mass Division of Employment & Training - Medical Security Program, 19 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, 617-626-6316, MYerow@detma.org

The Massachusetts Medical Security Program (MSP) is a safety net program designed to provide health insurance coverage to a segment of the state’s uninsured population. The Massachusetts Medical Security Program was established in 1988 under AN ACT TO MAKE HEALTH SECURITY AVAILABLE TO ALL CITIZENS OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND TO IMPROVE HOSPITAL FINANCING, i.e., Massachusetts Universal Health Legislation. It should be noted that this is the landmark legislation upon which Governor Michael Dukakis based his health care platform in running for President in 1988. The MSP is the only part of the Universal Health Legislation which survived administrations subsequent to Governor Dukakis. Also, the MSP is the only such program in the United States.

The presentation will provide an overview of the program and discuss its development, implementation and evolution.

Learning Objectives:

• Objective: Describe a unique program that provides health care coverage to some of the state’s population which would otherwise be uninsured
• Objective: Understand planning, financing and assessment of a universal health care program
• Objective: Apply planning theory to development and management of a safety net program for uninsured
• Objective: Assess and analyze the utilization and efficacy of a universal health care program
• Objective: Understand the advantages of offering a safety net program and the pitfalls of running such a program

Keywords: Universal Health Care, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.