“Along with most residents of Massachusetts, I assumed that the Massachusetts Health Reform Law was going to allow my daughter to keep her health insurance coverage after she graduated from college. … When my wife’s employer, Berkshire Health Systems, informed us that my daughter’s coverage would end on Dec. 31 of this year, I was shocked. It turns out that the law requires only companies that pay health insurance premiums to give the extra two years of coverage. … Two important lessons can be learned. First, we need to sever the connection between healthcare and employment. People need continuous, portable coverage that is affordable, comprehensive, and equitable. Second, we cannot depend on the private insurance industry to provide this for us.” [Note: Michael Kaplan is a family physician and a member of Physicians for a National Health Plan and the board of directors of the Universal Health Care Education Fund.] [editor’s note: Kaplan’s correct about breaking the employment bond, but he pushes a government-subsidized solution. The focus on “full coverage” will do NOTHING to cut costs, and merely further subsidize the insurance industry! Unless that “single payer” becomes predominantly the patient, and the third party leaves the picture … it’s all foolishness - SAT] (12/03/07)