MA Moves to Drop Legal Immigrants From State Coverage

As lawmakers look to the Massachusetts model for universal health care coverage, the state is preparing to eliminate coverage for about 30,000 legal immigrants insured under Commonwealth Care, a subsidized program for low-income residents as part of the state's health care law enacted in 2006, says an article in the New York Times.

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NY TIMES ARTICLE

Jul 17, 2009 9:45 AM - The cut, which would affect adults ages 18-65 years old without disabilities, would take effect in August unless the legislature approves a proposal by Gov. Deval Patrick to put $70 million back into the program, which would partly restore coverage for the immigrants.

Because of its 3-year-old law, Massachusetts has the country's lowest percentage of uninsured residents, 2.6%, compared with a national average of 15%. The law requires that almost every resident have insurance. To meet that goal, the state subsidizes coverage for those earning up to three times the federal poverty level, or $66,150 for a family of four.

Enrollment in Commonwealth Care has risen sharply in recent months, to 181,000, as more people have lost jobs, says the Times. In addition to dropping the immigrant insurance program, Commonwealth Care will save an estimated $63 million by no longer automatically enrolling low-income residents who fail to enroll themselves.