In Massachusetts, everybody has health coverage

Now if they could just find a doctor. From the NY Times "In Massachusetts, Universal Coverage Strains Care":

Now in Massachusetts, in an unintended consequence of universal coverage, the imbalance is being exacerbated by the state’s new law requiring residents to have health insurance.

Since last year, when the landmark law took effect, about 340,000 of Massachusetts’ estimated 600,000 uninsured have gained coverage. Many are now searching for doctors and scheduling appointments for long-deferred care.

The article is notable for two reasons: one is the juxtaposition of the phrases "unintended consequence" and "recipe for disaster" while the other is the spotlight on Dr. Katherine J. Atkinson who used to be my sons' primary doctor before she moved to Amherst. She already has 3,000 patients and she won't take any new ones until May 2009.