Feb 4, 2007 7:18 pm US/Eastern
Some Of Mass.' Uninsured Dig Deep For Health Care
by Dr. Mallika Marshall
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Basil El Halwagy is a young artist trying to make a name for himself, and he's also living without insurance.
CBS
Thousands of workers across Massachusetts will soon have another bill to juggle. Under the state's new health care reform law, they no longer have the option of going without health insurance. By July 1 every uninsured person in Massachusetts will have to buy some sort of coverage or face tax penalties.
Basil El Halwagy is a young artist trying to make a name for himself, and he's also living without insurance. Like many emerging artists, his work is not bringing in much money. "That's why I work as a substitute teacher during the day," he explained from his small studio in Somerville. In order to pay his bills and have enough left over for supplies, he has to sacrifice a car. That means pedaling to class, and on some days, all the way to Dorchester.
Basil says he likes the idea of universal health care. "I just think the cost is too high right now," he said. Under the law, if Basil's income stays below $30,000 a year, he would have to pay about $100 a month for coverage. But if his income rises, his premiums will also rise. Details are still being worked out, but for some premiums could be close to $400 a month. Basil says he has no idea where he's going to scrape up that extra money. "I don't think I could be an artist and add $400 to my expenses," he said.
The law created an agency specifically designed to engineer this plan. It's called the Commonwealth Connector. Board members agree that the plan has to be affordable if it's going to work. "Affordability, it's something we're really struggling with," explained MIT economics professor Jonathan Gruber, who is also a member of the Board. Gruber said he understands the premiums may be a stretch for some, but he says the state is offering quality insurance at below market rates. "Hopefully people will make decisions as to how the budget in other things to accommodate that in their budget and recognize the enormous value the state is delivering," he said.
Even though some may think it's a good deal, Basil isn't sure what he'll do. "There's not a day that goes by where I don't think about leaving the state."
Health care reform is still a work in progress. Some key decisions will be made in the coming months that will determine just how much it will cost. Stay tuned to
Project Mass. and we'll keep you posted.
We put together some Web sites if you'd like more information about health care reform, or about Basil's art.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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