In anticipation of President Obama’s remarks tonight concerning the stimulus package and a preview of his upcoming healthcare policy talks, some physician healthcare think-tankers in Massachusetts (site of the first-in-the-nation single payer healthcare financing system) are calling attention to the continued lack of access to care for a significant number of residents. They cite a failure of the law which still allows apparent blocks in access to many low income residents in the form of higher copays, deductibles, and premiums.

Senator Edward Kennedy, who is recovering from chemotherapy for a brain tumor, continues to question the inclusion of insurance compaines’ role in the state’s healthare law. Portions of the insurance law — which requires most state residents to obtain health coverage and provides subsidies for some residents who cannot afford coverage — have been praised by President Obama, a fact that may make it difficult to enact much of an overhaul to satisfy Kennedy and other professionals who deisre single payer purity. The concerns and criticisms brought forth against the law are outlined in this PDF report.

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