Massachusetts Health Insurance Law Has Achieved Much

"Whilethe success of" the Massachusetts health insurance law "is notassured," the state "should be proud of accomplishing so much, soquickly," a Boston Globe editorial states. Health care in the state costs more than some otherstates, but "in the short term, this cost disparity meant Massachusettshad more money in the system to expand coverage -- notably from a Medicaidwaiver by the federal government, which comes up for renewal on July 1,"the Globe writes. The editorial adds that supporting theinitiative "has been a major achievement" of HHS, anddepartment Secretary Mike Leavitt "ought to approve an extension."

However, "[e]ven with a renewal, unforeseen costs will become aburden," the Globe writes, adding that Gov. Deval Patrick's(D) $869 million budget proposal for next year might be $100 million short ofwhat his administration thinks the program will cost. According to theeditorial, "Massachusettshas one great advantage over other states -- the coalition of groups that putthe health care package together two years ago." The Globeconcludes that the coalition needs to "figure out ways to control costs,maintain quality and get new money into the system when absolutelynecessary"; otherwise, the "Massachusettsinitiative will fray more quickly" (Boston Globe, 4/8).

Reprintedwith permission from kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, and sign upfor email delivery at kaisernetwork.org/email . The Kaiser Daily Health PolicyReport is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J.Kaiser Family Foundation.