Most Mass. Residents Support New Health Reform Law

Most Massachusetts residents support a new state law to provide health coverage to almost all residents, including the individual mandate that requires residents to obtain coverage or pay a penalty, according to a new June poll of 1,003 Massachusetts residents. The public sees the law as benefiting many key groups in the state, with large majorities saying it will help people who are uninsured (72%), poor people (66%) and young people (60%). Small businesses stand out as the one group that the public perceives will be hurt by the law (52%, compared with 25% who say small businesses will benefit).