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• The law is titled "Chapter 58 of the Acts of 2006 AN ACT PROVIDING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, QUALITY, ACCOUNTABLE HEALTH CARE. Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is forthwith to expand access to health care for Massachusetts residents, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health." 

• "The law was passed with a broad consensus by experts with the people's best interest in mind."

• "The mandate became law with wide public support and careful planning."

• "This is a bold, experimental landmark in health care reform." 

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• "The Commonwealth has enrolled 432,000 in health insurance."

• "The law accomplishes universal or near-universal coverage."

• "The state can control rising medical costs through existing laws and bargaining with insurers."

• "Penalties are fair and will encourage people to enroll."

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• "Penalties are not a tax."

• "Affordability standards are fair and carefully calculated to represent what real people can spend."

• "People who can't afford the insurance can file for an exemption."

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• "Everyone who can’t afford insurance is eligible for help paying for it."

• "Low-cost plans are available for ages 19-26."

• "Connector programs lead to accessible, quality coverage."

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• “Thanks to Massachusetts ‘health care reform,’ you can rest assured that you will always have access to affordable, quality coverage."

• "Employers can afford the mandated contributions and extra administrative costs."

• "Employees whose jobs offer insurance can afford it and must accept it or face penalty that is perfectly affordable to them"

• "The Massachusetts 'Health care reform law' has successfully reduced the use of "free care. 

• "The 'Health Safety Net' covers everyone."

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• "The mandate will not cost extra money and will not lead to more taxes." 

• “Insurance costs will decrease for all residents because the mandate will increase the risk pool” 

• "The mandate will not cost regular people's tax money or take away from other important programs."

• "The Mandate has no effect on those who already have employer sponsored insurance."

• "The state provides good programs like the "Insurance Partnership", the "Fishing Partnership Health Plan" and the "Qualifying Student Health Insurance Program" to help defray the cost of insurance for select individuals."

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• "Free riders take money from insured people."

• "People who do not get insurance are just stubborn and gambling with catastrophe and like it that way."

• "Both Republicans and Democrats are correct in thinking that a mandate is the only way to achieve health care.” 

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• "The over $39,000,000. (for 2009) cost of running the Commonwealth Connector Board is necessary, justified and  reasonable."

• "Connector and MassHealth plans provide stable, dependable and continuous health care to those who need it."

• "Privacy of medical records will be safe within the over 20 state and federal agencies who will have access to personal health information."

• "New electronic medical records save lots of money and lead to better care."

• "A single payer system would cover all Americans and provide substantial savings, but such a plan is unaffordable and politically impossible."

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