AHLA's Conversations with Policymakers Series
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Co-sponsored with the Boston Bar Association (BBA) 
Description
On April 12, 2006, Governor Mitt Romney signed into law an Act Providing Access to Affordable, Quality, Accountable Health Care. At the same time, he vetoed sections of the law deemed important by some of its supporters. Specifically, the Governor vetoed the "fair share" provision that would have imposed a tax on businesses that do not provide insurance to their employees. The law has been said to be "a series of compromises between Democrats and Republicans aimed at ensuring that all citizens have access to health care." It has also been said that Massachusetts is "unique" and thus it may be difficult to transport the structures and components outlined in this law to other states.
This Public Interest Conversations with Policymakers teleconference will address some of these questions and provide listeners with an analysis of the law’s provisions. Christine Ferguson, former Commissioner of Massachusetts' Department of Health and currently a Professor at George Washington University, will moderate the discussion. Beth Waldman, the Massachusetts Medicaid Director, and Christie Hager, Chief Health Counsel, Office of Speaker Salvatore 
F. DiMasi, will dialogue about the new law's substantive provisions.
Download audio recording. (MP3 Audio, 16MB)
Speakers
- Beth Waldman
Massachusetts Medicaid Director 
- Christie Hager
Chief Health Counsel, Office of Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi
Moderator
- Christine Ferguson, J.D.
Associate Research Professor Department of Health Policy at George Washington University
The modest registration fee for the Spring 2006 Conversations with Policymakers teleconference series is made possible through the generous support of the health law organizations listed below.
Calfee Halter & Griswold LLP
Cohen & Grigsby
Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo PC
Phelps Dunbar LLP
Reed Smith LLP