I've had many new experiences and spent time in different places ever since becoming a mother. For example, as a 20 something single woman, I rarely frequented playgrounds, museams, or...well...hospitals. Parenting has changed that Besides my own hospital stays for two c-sections, both of my children have unfortunately needed to go to the ER.

A few weeks ago my younger son swallowed a paper clip and ended up in the ER. Fortunately he was fine, but in the course of his care he saw numerous doctors. Then we had the follow up appointment and follow up phone calls with the nurses from his pediatrician's practice.

I am a Massachusetts resident. Today is the second anniversary of the passage of universal health care coverage. Two years ago, then-Governor Mitt Romney signed a bill into law to make it mandatory for all state residents to sign up for health insurance.