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Former governors and legislative leaders recall bipartisan work behind Chapter 58
Summary
At a public commemoration in Faneuil Hall, former governors and legislative leaders recounted the bipartisan negotiations, implementation challenges and personal stories behind Massachusetts's 2006 health reform, highlighting staff work, stakeholder engagement and Ted Kennedy's influence.
Former governors, legislative leaders and staff gathered to mark 20 years since Massachusetts enacted Chapter 58, offering recollections of the law's development and the cross-party collaborations that made it possible.
"When Mitt Romney and Ted Kennedy are celebrating the same piece of legislation, it proves one thing. One of us didn't read it," former Governor Mitt Romney joked, a line that drew laughter and underscored the unusual bipartisan coalition behind the reform. Romney praised the leadership and the coalition that helped sell the legislation to businesses, providers and the public.
Former Governor Deval Patrick credited the implementation teams and recalled how Commonwealth Care and the Health Connector helped raise insured rates; he described the effort as rooted in "human dignity." Speakers from the legislature, including Speaker Ron Mariano and former Senate President Robert Travolini, emphasized intensive negotiations, weekly meetings and reliance on talented staff to resolve technical details.
Why it matters: Speakers said Chapter 58 not only increased coverage but created administrative and political routines that allowed Massachusetts to integrate federal changes later and to pilot reforms that informed national policy.
Selected source quotes:
- Mitt Romney: "The political leaders who were part of this effort came to the job to get things done, not just to see what we could do to get ourselves reelected." He added a memorable quip about celebrating the law with Senator Kennedy.
- Deval Patrick: "You are the team who made the Health Connector a trusted source... who stood up a first-of-its-kind Commonwealth Care." Patrick described the role of stakeholders and implementers in turning the law into coverage.
Several speakers also invoked Senator Ted Kennedy's role in championing health reform and noted his presence in the collective memory of the room. The event mixed historical recollection with personal testimony; attendees included current and former staff, agency officials, advocates and assisters who helped implement the law.
The program did not include legislative or administrative votes; remarks were commemorative and reflective.
