Voters unimpressed with Mass. universal health plan

Far more of Massachusetts' voters believe the state's landmark universal coverage program is not working than believe it is, reports the Boston Globe.

The poll, conducted by Suffolk University and the television station WHDH, found that 49 percent of respondents did not think the program was helping the state of healthcare delivery in Massachusetts. Thirty-eight percent said it was working, while 13 percent were undecided.

The program provides tax and other subsidies for residents to purchase coverage from private insurers. The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is based on this legislation.

The program is also apparently hurting former Gov. Mitt Romney, who signed it into law in 2006. Fifty-four percent of respondents thought it would hurt his chance of becoming president, while 22 percent said it would help. Another 22 percent was undecided.

"Healthcare continues to define Mitt Romney and weigh down his presidential campaign like an iron stethoscope," said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center.

The poll of 500 voters was conducted between April 3 and 5 and has a margin for error of plus or minus four percentage points.

For more details:
- Read the Boston Globe article
- Read the Suffolk University Poll results