In addition to serving as another example of the growing federalist movement in this country, the move towards universal healthcare coverage in Massachusetts was a shrewd move by 2008 presidential hopeful Gov. Mitt Romney:

....The plan emerged from a process of creative bipartisan collaboration between Republican Gov. Mitt Romney and an overwhelmingly Democratic Legislature.

At a time when Washington is locked in partisan warfare on almost every front and has done little to reverse the declining access to health insurance nationwide, it's difficult to say which of Massachusetts' achievements is more remarkable. Both should inspire not only other states but the federal government as well.

Romney will certainly use this HC bill to play up his ability to work well with the Dems -- a quality that likely will be highly desired in a candidate by the time '08 rolls around.