They tried it. And they liked it.

A new poll shows that more than two-thirds of Massachusetts residents approve of the state's health reform, which has halved the uninsurance rate, bringing it down from 13 percent in fall 2006 to 7 percent by fall 2007. The 69 percent approval rating is six points higher than the 61 percent positive rating that the plan had when it was enacted two years ago, according to the survey by the Harvard School of Public Health and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Results appeared in the Boston Globe.

The approval was not without some caveats, but overall, when asked if it should be repealed, continued as is, or continued but with changes, 70 percent opted to continue, but with changes. The poll did not ask them to specify what changes they favored.

Survey author Robert Blendon, professor of health policy and political analysis at Harvard, told the Globe the findings show a sophisticated understanding of a complex law.

"They are basically saying it's better to have people covered, even though there are problems here," Blendon said. "People are aware there are costs to this thing, yet they still hang in because they think it's the right thing to do."

People are aware of the challenges, mostly financial, that Governor Deval Patrick and state legislators face. When the plan covered more uninsured people than anticipated, costs naturally rose from an estimated $472 million to $630 million. The survey, however, found that two-thirds of Massachusetts residents opposed limiting enrollment in Commonwealth Care to save money.

To close the spending gap, consumers in April began paying higher premiums and co-pays, and the state legislature recently voted to raise tobacco taxes. The Globe reports, however, that business groups are balking at paying more than they agreed as part of the initial compromise that led to the program's creation. As of now, employers either have to cover their workers or pay an annual penalty of $295 per worker, but there are two ways they can get exemptions. Governor Patrick wants to make it harder to get those exemptions, which would raise $33 million. State officials are also still working with Washington on renewed federal Medicaid funding.

Former Governor Mitt Romney, who during his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination encouraged state innovation but did not emphasize Massachusetts' potential as a model for other states, this week had an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal (subscription) that was highly favorable on the Bay State initiative. As a Republican, he welcomed the role the markets have played in a reformed system, and said the plan is "on track to get(ting) virtually every citizen insured." He noted that the plan said no to "free riders" who didn't pay into the system but then showed up at emergency rooms, that it made insurance more affordable for individuals, and improved access to preventive care. He has a list of changes he'd like to see in the fiscal area, but overall his endorsement was a ringing one.