As the law requiring all residents in Massachusetts have health insurance has gone into full swing, legislators are expected to make several changes to the law over the next few months to better ensure compliance, according to a recent report in the Boston Globe

The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing has stated after hearing testimony from healthcare providers, consumer advocates, health insurance providers and physicians that changes to the Law were forthcoming.  Specifically at issue making compliance easier for small businesses and the self-employed. Also concern was expressed about large business paying their fair share, in the amount employers are required to contribute toward workers healthcare and health insurance under the new law. A resounding majority in the State Senate has expressed support of a bill to modify the law.

A spokesperson for the Joint Committee said he supports increasing from 33% to 50% the amount employers must contribute to workers’ health insurance coverage before facing $300 per employee penalty. The committee has recommended that Governor. Deval Patrick make this proposed change, but if the administration does not, it would push for this modification to be included in the senate revision bill.

According to the Globe, other proposed modifications to the current health insurance mandate would include, placing a limit of 10% of income as the maximum amount residents would have to pay out of pocket for healthcare insurance. Under current law there is no such income based limit.

The Joint Committee hopes that by adopting these changes and others proposed by the Senate, more residents and businesses will find it easier to comply with the revolutionary health insurance mandate, or face stiffer penalties which are also expected to be coming n January of ‘08

The eyes of the nation have been on Massachusetts to see how the mandatory health insurance law is working. Several states have already enacted, or are considering similar proposals. Many of the ideas to reform health insurance on a national basis are also looking at the Massachusetts health insurance mandate as a model.

The idea being tried first in Massachusetts could revolutionize the traditional healthcare insurance system. It has many of the elements that healthcare reformers from all sides of the debate are seeking.  The Massachusetts health insurance law has empowered residents, including low-income individuals, to buy and own their private healthcare coverage, and with some modifications may prove how joint partnerships between the Government and Private Insurers can work for the benefit of all.