Last night, the state senate struggled through a complex package of health care cost-control measures. The challenge is to see through the legalese to the underlying choices. Here is an overview of the legislation, which now moves to the House.
Costs
Health Care — a coming concern
The Trump health care changes may not take effect until 2020, but even without those changes the Massachusetts health care model is under stress.
Rising Health Insurance Premiums
I received this troubling report about the health insurance market from a small business owner: I thought to share one data point on the cost of healthcare in Massachusetts. We just got our renewal for our Blue Cross Blue Shield policy. The premium increase was about 35%. The insurance broker tells us that the cost […]
Health Care Conference Report Filed
Last night, the conference committee on the health care cost control bill filed its report. Both branches are certain to approve the report later today.
Update on the Single Payer Issue
The single payer amendment came to a vote this afternoon during the first day of debate on the Senate health care bill. After a vigorous debate, the Senate voted it down in a roll call with 15 voting yes (including me) and 22 voting no. This was a much stronger showing than had previously been […]
High Level Conflict about Health Care Costs
After over a year of hearings and discussions, the House and Senate have both released global health care cost control bills. The highest level institutions in Boston – government, business, major hospitals and insurers – are all deeply engaged in the conversation about the options.