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Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

                Chris Elliott                        Zach Lee                  Christian Palmer
                Geronimo Rodriguez       Blake Whitaker       Kristen Young

Health care reform has a new guinea pig

Staff editorialThe immigration debate, especially in Texas, has tempers flaring, but while sit-ins, walk outs and marches had the eyes of the nation focused on immigration laws, Massachusetts quietly passed one of the most interesting pieces of legislation in a long time. 

And bipartisanship got some support too.

On Tuesday, the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate approved -- with a staggering majority -- a bill that would require all residents of the commonwealth to obtain health insurance by July 1, 2007.

For those who paint by numbers, the House approved it 155-2, and the Senate approved it 37-0.

Gov. W. Mitt Romney has said he will sign the bill into law.

We think there are two things that make the passage of this bill truly amazing.

First, there's the bill itself. Whether or not you agree with its underlying principles, it is a gutsy move for legislators from any state to make. And though there are already some foreseeable problems ahead, Massachusetts is taking a step forward that it seems no other state is ready to take, but every other state will benefit from. By keeping an eye on the way things unfold, Texas legislators, for example, can get a better idea of how a similar bill would affect Texans. 

We could all use a little Massachusetts bravery.

That's where the other great thing about this bill comes in: the almost universal bipartisanship that got it passed. 

It is a bit sobering to realize that bickering among Texas legislators over finding a solution for school funding lasted through four special sessions with no compromise to date, but a sweeping change in health care can be passed by virtually all Massachusetts legislators, even though it undoubtedly hurts some strong constituencies. 

A great idea doesn't mean anything if no one stands up for it.

Hats off to Massachusetts, and the best of luck to legislators as they try to work out the bill's kinks in the coming years.