Members of the Cape Delegation Hold Health Insurance Responsibilities Forum

Forum addresses Commonwealth's mandatory health insurance program effective July 1, 2007

Representative Matthew Patrick and Senator Robert O?Leary along with Representatives Demitrius Atsalis, Cleon Turner and Sarah Peake are hosting a Forum at the Cape Cod Community College to brief the public on the Commonwealth?s new healthcare law.

Date: MAY 3rd, 2007
Time: 6:30pm
Place: Cape Cod Community College, Lecture Hall A

All adults in Massachusetts are required to have health insurance on July 1. More than 45,000 people have already enrolled in the Connector?s subsidized insurance program, Commonwealth Care.

Commonwealth Choice is the unsubsidized program for people earning up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level ($29,400 for an individual and $60,000 for a family of four). Enrollment will begin May 1 for coverage that starts July 1 for an estimated 160,000 people.

Rep. Patrick said he organized the forum because, "Constituents have asked me many questions I couldn?t answer about the new law. The Health Connector Authority is the only organization that can help residents understand all its implications at this time. We want to provide the public with the most current information available to help facilitate the transition and avoid misunderstandings."

"Last year the Commonwealth passed a first in the nation, comprehensive plan for increasing health insurance coverage for all of its residents," said Senator O'Leary. "The provisions of the legislation aim to achieve nearly universal health coverage; however its implementation has raised many questions among my constituents. This forum is an important opportunity to educate the public over the specifics of this landmark reform effort."

The members of the Cape delegation would like to thank Kathy Schatzberg and the Cape Cod Community College for providing Lecture Hall A for this event.

The forum is free and open to the public. We expect many questions and time is limited, index cards will be provided for attendees to write their questions down.

Contact the office of Matthew C. Patrick here.