Grace-Marie to speak at Alliance for Health Reform Briefing on the Massachusetts Health Plan

Many have proclaimed the Massachusetts health care reform plan a success, noting the greater than expected enrollment rates in the program’s first 18 months. But some observers sound notes of concern.

Policy makers considering health reform, including states and Congress, are looking to Massachusetts as a laboratory to inform their proposals. How is implementation of universal coverage progressing in Massachusetts? How is the Connector model working? Does affordability remain an issue for implementation of the individual mandate? How is the employer community responding to the reforms? Are quality and access being addressed along with coverage? What steps are being taken to meet the challenges?

To address these and related questions, the Alliance for Health Reform and the Kaiser Family Foundation are sponsoring a May 19 luncheon briefing. Panelists will be: Jon Kingsdale, Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority; John McDonough, Health Care for All; Matthew Fishman, Partners HealthCare; and Grace-Marie Turner; Galen Institute. Ed Howard of the Alliance and Diane Rowland of the Kaiser Family Foundation will co-moderate.

For more information, go to http://www.allhealth.org/event_reg.asp?bi=128.