Massachusetts Health Centers reach out.

• Position: TRENDS AND TRANSITIONS - Brief article

Massachusetts made history in 2006 by passing legislation that subsidizes health insurance for the state's poorest residents. What many didn't know is that the law requires all state residents to purchase some sort of limited health insurance by July 1, 2007, or face financial penalties.

Health centers statewide are getting the word out to the estimated 500,000 people with incomes at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines ($39,600 per year for a family of two) who qualify for the subsidized program and who may not be aware of the requirement.

Kerin O'Toole, public affairs director of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, says neighborhood health centers are well-equipped for this role because they are located where eligible people live.

"Many of our clients have never had health insurance," says O'Toole, "so the health centers are educating clients not only about the new law but also about the benefits of having insurance instead of relying on free care...