Massachusetts Ranks #1 for Health Care Affordability and Access

Massachusetts Ranks #1 for Health Care Affordability and Access 

New Commonwealth Fund report shows Massachusetts has the best health system performance, remains the national leader in health insurance coverage 

BOSTON – The Commonwealth Fund released its 2025 scorecard today that ranks Massachusetts first among U.S. states for overall health system performance. The report found that Massachusetts is the top state for health care affordability and access, and has the highest childhood vaccination rates, highest health insurance coverage, lowest infant mortality, and fewest premature avoidable deaths.  

“Massachusetts is yet again the best state in the nation for health care. We’ve made significant progress in expanding access to affordable health care, making sure people have health insurance coverage, and supporting the health and wellbeing of children and babies,” said Governor Maura Healey. “But we know there is still more work to be done, especially as President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ are trying to take away health care from hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents. We’re going to continue our work to make sure everyone can access high-quality, affordable health care, and speak out against attempts to take us backwards.” 

“Where you live matters, and it is clear from this report that Massachusetts is a great place to live a long, healthy life,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This is a team effort, and we’re here because of our world-class health care providers, community organizations, and other partners that make up an outstanding health care system and safety net.” 

“This report confirms what we’re doing right here in Massachusetts, particularly our innovative applications of Medicaid funding through our MassHealth program,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. “But it also shows us where we still have work to do, including how we support nursing home residents and older people in preventing hospital readmissions, and reaffirms our work to close the health equity gaps that persist for every state.” 

This scorecard follows Massachusetts’ ranking as the best-performing health system for women overall in the Commonwealth Fund’s 2024 State Scorecard on Women’s Health and Reproductive Care, and top ranking in the 2023 Scorecard on State Health System Performance. Earlier this week, Governor Healey was named the 2025 Governor of the Year by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) for her commitment to growing Massachusetts’s global leadership in biotechnology, which is a key driver of the state’s strong health care system. 

Massachusetts was recently named the best state economy. Massachusetts has also been ranked the number one state for education, innovation, health care, working moms and dads, and women, as well as the best state to live in, to have a baby, raise a family and retire.   

For additional information on the 2025 Scorecard on State Health System Performance, please view the full report here and the Massachusetts scorecard, here.