Pols & Politics: Romney, Patrick, Dukakis, Weld, and Healey to celebrate 20 years of MassHealth

A collection of former Massachusetts governors will be joining Gov. Maura Healey, state legislative leaders and policy experts at Faneuil Hall in Boston on Monday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the signing of a bill that brought public health insurance to the Bay State.

Headlining the event with Healey will be former Governors Michael Dukakis, Bill Weld, Deval Patrick, and Mitt Romney, who signed the health care reform legislation into law on April 12, 2006 inside Faneuil Hall. Former Gov. Charlie Baker, who has served as the President of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) since leaving office in 2023, has not provided an explanation for his absence from the event.

Also expected to attend will be House Speaker Ron Mariano, former House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, former Senate President Robert Travaglini, former Administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector Audrey Morse Gasteier.

The event will include remarks from the government and legislative leaders before two panels of leaders in business, health care, community organizations, and government talk about the partnership needed to pass the law and the work that went into successful implementation of the law," a press release for the event says. "Health Connector enrollees and Navigators share the impact the law has made on their lives and communities."

Healey's office says nearly 10% of Massachusetts residents were uninsured before the law was enacted, adding that the Bay State now has the highest coverage rate in the country, with over 97% of residents insured.

Shortsleeve, Kennealy to face off in New Bedford debate as Minogue sits out

Two of the three Republican gubernatorial candidates will be facing off in a debate in New Bedford on Wednesday as the other will skip the event, but will be attending a function just one town away.

Brian Shortsleeve and Mike Kennealy have both accepted invitations to participate in a debate hosted by local news outlets New Bedford Guide and Fall River Reporter at New Bedford's Kilburn Mill on Wednesday afternoon. Fellow candidate Mike Minogue had declined the invitation, instead opting to speak to delegates at the Acushnet VFW.

Kennealy and Shortsleeve are criticizing Minogue for skipping out on the debate.

"Candidates who are unwilling to debate should not be running for Governor. Mike Minogue was invited -- his campaign received the email -- and he is choosing not to participate," said Kennealy. "This debate is taking place just hours before his own event down the road. The facts speak for themselves."

Shortsleeve said, "The delegates deserve a debate between all the candidates to see who has command of the issues. It shows a complete lack of respect for the delegates and it speaks volumes that he cannot defend his questionable business record including kickbacks."

Minogue's campaign says that he will be on stage with Kennealy and Shortsleeve at a Monday forum, and that "the time for debates will come."

"Career politicians want to make this race about spreading lies and endorsements from the political establishment, because Mike is winning," said a Minogue campaign spokesperson. "They have been on stage together several times, in fact they're going to be on stage together again on Monday at a forum. Mike takes all questions at every event he attends. The time for debates will come."

The debate will be broadcast live on New Bedford Guide and Fall River Reporter's Facebook pages from 2 pm to 3:30 pm.

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