Study: Mass. 2nd In Nation In Child Well-Being

A national study on health, education, community and economics says Massachusetts is the second-best state for child well-being.

The rankings are outlined in the Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2012 Kids Count Data Book. The annual study gave its highest overall marks to New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont, while Nevada, New Mexico and Mississippi received the lowest overall scores.

The report is based on the most recent federal data and looks at "well-being" indicators in the areas of health, economic stability, education, and family and community.

Massachusetts scored high across the board and received top scores in education and health care, grabbing the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, respectively. It also came in at No. 10 for family and community and No. 11 for economic well-being.

Noah Berger, the president of the nonpartisan Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, says he believes the high scores in health and education are the direct result of laws that have overhauled those systems in the state.

He pointed to the 2006 health care law, signed by then-Gov. Mitt Romney, which requires nearly all state residents to have health insurance or face penalties.