OK, I have lived in MA most of my life. This post is extremely misleading. Masshealth is a program for the poorest of the poor, like those making under $20K a year. Its true that if you're at federal poverty level, you don't have to pay for healthcare in MA. However, if you have a job where you make say 35K a year, and your employer offers a minimum standard plan, you can't just sign up for Masshealth. There are people in MA who are working for very little money, say 40k a year, and are paying a lot more for worse health insurance than MassHealth provides. If you consider that universal healthcare then sure, MA has it.
Edit: since I’m getting dozens of the same comment, Mass has the 5th highest cost of living in the nation. It’s cost of living is comparable to Oregon, California, and New York. MA has the second highest rent for a one bedroom in the country after DC: $1995 a month. That’s higher than NY and CA. I understand in some states or regions 40k might be a good salary.
ldelossa on November 10th, 2021 at 01:26 UTC »
Is this a relatively new thing?
Teknoman117 on November 10th, 2021 at 01:46 UTC »
Doesn't this only exist for those making under 3x of the federal poverty line? (If so, it's not exactly "universal")
Angelusflos on November 10th, 2021 at 04:11 UTC »
OK, I have lived in MA most of my life. This post is extremely misleading. Masshealth is a program for the poorest of the poor, like those making under $20K a year. Its true that if you're at federal poverty level, you don't have to pay for healthcare in MA. However, if you have a job where you make say 35K a year, and your employer offers a minimum standard plan, you can't just sign up for Masshealth. There are people in MA who are working for very little money, say 40k a year, and are paying a lot more for worse health insurance than MassHealth provides. If you consider that universal healthcare then sure, MA has it.
Edit: since I’m getting dozens of the same comment, Mass has the 5th highest cost of living in the nation. It’s cost of living is comparable to Oregon, California, and New York. MA has the second highest rent for a one bedroom in the country after DC: $1995 a month. That’s higher than NY and CA. I understand in some states or regions 40k might be a good salary.