Insurance, the Commonwealth, and You

or ...

There's a new law in Massachusetts requiring all residents 18 years of age or older to carry medical insurance by July 1, 2007. If you do not obtain insurance by December 31, 2007 (and obtain proof from your insurer of that fact), the state may penalize you on your next state income tax return. Regardless of your opinion of the law (or of the medical industry and medical insurance industry in general), it probably makes sense for you to understand what the law requires and the options now available.

The question is, what do you need to know... especially if you're self employed, unemployed (perhaps paying COBRA), have a small business, multiple sources of income, or some other alternative to a regular 9 to 5 job?

Back a few months ago (in early May of 2007), we were wondering what to do about this ourselves. We hadn't heard anything from the state yet (they have since sent one post card in mid June). So, we did some research and discovered some things we thought more people would like to know. We put together a team of volunteers, along with a panel of experts, and produced a one hour video program. The video explains in plain language what's going on, where to get ahold of reliable independent information, and how to get started.

We don't work for or represent any companies, government agencies, or other groups. Frankly, we did this for ourselves (we wanted to know, too!) as well as for you.

In making the program, we discovered that you can't get everything you need to know from just one web site, in spite of what you may have heard (or what it says on that little postcard the state sent). We strongly recommend that you get some basic facts before signing up for any insurance plan. There are new and existing state sponsored programs that you might qualify for, even if you think of yourself as middle class. These programs could save you thousands of dollars per year in medical insurance costs, but you could miss out on them unless you are aware of them.

We're working to get this video shown on as many cable TV access stations around the commonwealth as possible. We're also offering copies of it on DVD at a reduced price, starting now. We've kept the price down so as many people as possible can afford to order a copy.

Produced in collaboration with the Arlington Studio (Arlington's public access media center), the one hour program provides some basic information as to:

• what the law requires
• what state agencies and non-profit organizations can help
• how to get started
• resources to learn more and obtain help decide what insurance to get.

The information is presented in an informal discussion format in front of a live audience. It is intended for individuals and local cable TV stations in Massachusetts who wish to cablecast it. A press release, issued just prior to cablecasting in Arlington is now available here. We would love it if you could help us publicize the program. We have now created a mini poster that you can put up on almost any bulletin board without taking up too much room. The posters print two to a sheet, which you then cut in half.

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Note: If you wish to sponsor this program on a cable channel in your community, please contact us right away, as a limited number of disks are available for the cost of shipping for this purpose, and we would like to get the program "on the air" in as many cities and towns as possible.

Otherwise, the program is available for the nominal price of $15.00, plus tax and shipping ($19.75 total). If you cannot afford the cost of the program, please contact us as we also have a limited number of disks available at discount for those of limited financial means. We will discuss this with you on a case by case basis.

The program has no outside funding source; we have produced it entirely at our own risk and with the help and cooperation of volunteers and staff of the Arlington Studio. Therefore, our financial resources are extremely limited. Purchase of this program will help us fund and produce other programs for public benefit.

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