Lessons for Women’s Health From the Massachusetts Reform: Affordability, Transitions, and Choice

Three years into Massachusetts’ health insurance reform, we are beginning to see what that experience portends for women nationally in the wake of legislation similar to the Massachusetts model. Although the Massachusetts reform has been successful in terms of reducing the number of uninsured men and women, interviews with Massachusetts women reveal significant problems that remain to be addressed. In this paper, we offer snapshots of three women whom we interviewed on the cusp of the Massachusetts reform. None of the women had insurance at the time; thus, health care reform represents a significant improvement in their access to care. However, as these snapshots indicate, major challenges remain in terms of affordability, continuity of coverage, and systemic complexities in choosing plans.