Study Charts Effects of Massachusetts Health Care Reform

A recent study analyzing the effects of the 2006 Mass. health care insurance reform law revealed that while insurance coverage has increased overall and cost has become less of a barrier for obtaining coverage, the reform’s effects have not been felt equally among certain groups of people.

The study, conducted by researchers at the Medical School, examined the reform’s effects on insurance coverage, cost barriers, self-reported health status, and accessibility to doctors from 2006 to 2008.

The study found no overall improvement in health status of individuals or doctor accessibility.

The disparity in insurance coverage between whites, blacks and Hispanics saw no improvement, according to Jennifer Haas, one of the study’s authors who is an associate professor at both the Medical School and the School of Public Health. Haas added that disparities between socioeconomic groups remained the same.

The study compared data from Massachusetts with health care data from across New England to see which changes could be attributable to the state’s health care reform.

The regional data reflected similar inequalities. Blacks saw little increase in coverage in both Massachusetts and New England. Hispanics, a group whose coverage in the state did increase, had no significant increase across New England, Haas said.

Haas suggested ways to address the inequalities, such as additional outreach efforts.

“We can make sure that all groups have adequate access to being able to find programs,” she said.