More states explore universal health coverage

While no other state besides Massachusetts has mandated individual health insurance for its residents, other states are considering action-though the economy is seen as a roadblock.

Last year, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine signed legislation to establish a health insurance mandate for his residents that will begin with coverage of children this year and expand to include the entire population by 2011. California nearly adopted an individual mandate in 2007, but Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the reform. Legislators in Alaska, Hawaii, Minnesota, and New York have also introduced mandated health insurance bills.