The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #74083

Steffie Woolhandler, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine, The Cambridge Hospital, 1493 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, 617-665-1032, pnhp@aol.com

In 2000 a small group of physicians, nurses and other health professionals placed an iniative on the Massachusetts ballot that would have required the legislature to implement a universal health care program, and banned for-profit HMOs and hospitals from participating in the program. Attempting to head off the initiative, legislators passed an HMO oversight bill that had long languished in committee, as well as other health measures pushed by organized labor, consumer advocacy, and hospital groups. In return, these groups agreed to oppose the initiative. Despite the fracturing of the universal coverage coalition, polls showed continued strong voter support for the ballot measure. In the final weeks before the election HMOs in Massachusetts spent $5 million dollars on a media campaign to defeat the iniative. This HMO campaign succeeded in defeating the measure by a narrow margin: 52% to 48%.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to:
• Identify the elements of the Massachusetts ballot initiative for universal coverage and HMO reform
• Discuss the implications of significant voter support despite massive spending by opponents.

Keywords: Health Care Reform, Health Insurance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.