I move out of Massachusetts and in comes free health care.

The NYT is reporting that Massachusetts has passed a bill to offer universal health care to its citizens. This is the first time a state has been able to offer this right to its citizens.

"Individuals who can afford private insurance will be penalized on their state income taxes if they do not buy it. Government subsidies to private insurance plans will enable more of the working poor to be able to afford insurance and will expand the number of children who are eligible for free coverage. And businesses with more than 10 workers that do not provide insurance will be assessed a fee of up to $295 per employee per year."

It also will provide insurance to %95 of the current uninsured population of the state. This is a remarkable and should act as a model for other states or perhaps the federal government to address the health care crisis in this nation.

"'It is not a typical Massachusetts-Taxachusetts, oh just crazy liberal plan,' said Stuart H. Altman, dean of the Heller Graduate School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. 'It isn't that at all. It is a pretty moderate approach and that's what's impressive about it. It tried to borrow and blend a lot of different pieces.'"