Massachusetts Requires Rx Coverage For All

The New York Times reports that the board which regulates the Massachusetts universal health coverage initiative recently set minimum standards for the level of coverage required. All Massachusetts residents must have some form of health coverage by July of this year, and will have until January 2009 to acquire insurance which includes prescription drug coverage.

Experts say that these minimum requirements are "unprecedented" - most plans to minimize the number of uninsured individuals focus on accessibility and affordability of coverage, while ignoring the adequacy. This action by the Massachusetts board sends the message that just having coverage isn't enough - the coverage must be at least minimally comprehensive.