Don't change a comma

In an opinion piece published in the Wall Street Journal yesterday, the governor, a Republican, takes credit for the plan that he hopes will cover every uninsured citizen in the state and result in lower health costs. The bill would never have passed without the work of House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, a Democrat, who insisted on a contribution from employers who do not provide health insurance. And the bill would have failed without the support of Senate President Robert Travaglini, also a Democrat, who sought to protect the Boston Medical Center and Cambridge Health Alliance, two hospitals that serve low-income populations.

There's talk at the State House that Romney plans to veto or amend the section of the bill that guarantees an income stream for the two hospitals, as the state moves their uninsured patients into the health insurance system. Eventually, the hospitals will have to be exposed to a fully competitive environment, but the three-year exemption that Travaglini inserted is reasonable as an interim measure.

In the Journal piece, Romney criticized the $295-per-worker fee that DiMasi included for employers that do not offer health insurance. ''The fee is unnecessary and probably counterproductive, and so I will take corrective action," Romney wrote. In the euphoria following the bill's passage last week, however, Romney said the $295 is not a tax and seemed agreeable to the whole package. Even if the veto is overriden, Romney will have difficulty claiming a role in brokering a bipartisan victory if he is not willing to compromise.

Many employers already offer coverage, and the bill will encourage more to do so. Larger employers that still leave their workers without insurance should contribute a modicum of financial support for state healthcare spending.

The ceremony today recalls the signing of the universal healthcare bill by Governor Dukakis on the State House steps in April 1988. Unlike today's event, the Dukakis celebration was a large public rally used to boost his presidential campaign.

Romney has similar ambitions, but he knows that, as in Dukakis's time, many people want a more expansive system. Unanimity at the Dukakis event disguised fissures within the Legislature, and the law was never fully put into effect.

The bill this year enjoys deeper support, as shown by the unanimous Senate vote andthe 155-to-2 House tally that sent the legislation to Romney. Unambiguous support bythe governor today would solidify a consen-sus for full implementation of this overdue law.