Five percent of taxpayers failed to obtain health coverage last year, and more than half of those — about 97,000 — were forced to forfeit their personal exemption — worth $219 — after it was determined they could have afforded health care.
Two percent of taxpayers — about 62,000 — were found not to earn enough for health care, avoiding fines. Under the landmark law, taxpayers must show they are insured or face penalties. The numbers were based on a review of 86 percent of expected tax filers for 2007.
The state's first-in-the-nation universal health insurance law required everyone in the state to be insured by July 2007, except for those who secured a waiver proving they couldn't afford insurance.
Gov. Deval Patrick said the fact that 95 percent of filers were insured shows the 2006 law is making progress.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080603/ap_on_re_us/
massachusetts_health_care
** *Sniff, sniff* - Is that the stinch of socialism I smell? Why yes, yes it is! Welcome to America one and all where socialism continues to pop up, rearing it's disgustingly, ugly head. Sneaking it's way into our society through the means of brainless, corupt lawmakers who have "forgotten" (they don't care actually) that our founding fathers set up a REPUBLIC government for us - NOT a socialist one (and no - NOT a democracy either)! No one should be forced to have health insurance (or anything else) - even when they CAN afford it. That's a personal choice that every person has a right to make with OUT the government coming in and forcing them to do otherwise.
Why hasn't this law been challenged by the people! Then again, maybe it has. If so, then why hasn't the suppreme court ordered the this law to be abolished!**
Posted by Mrs Muddy at June 3, 2008 09:26 AMBecause it is a state law. The supreme court only has jurisdiction if the law directly violates the constitution, and it does not. The state supreme court can however if it violates the state constitution.
Posted by: skywalker at June 5, 2008 05:32 AMThe state supreme court was actually what I was talking about. But I would have no idea (obviously) whether or not it violates the Mass. state constitution.
Just remind me to NEVER live in Mass. for any period of time. K?
Posted by: mrs. muddy at June 5, 2008 10:49 AM