Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report
Massachusetts officials are seeking ways for the increased costs of health insurance for the state as a “law of the state is facing a recession and centralized decisions, the funding could break or the health reform, “reports the Boston Globe. The state is facing a deficit of $ 1.3 billion, with health insurance initiative on a $ 100 million deficit.
According to the Globe, the legislature could $ 100 million deficit “faster, if the state decides an increase in the cigarette tax and use the money for health care, as defined by the State House Speaker DiMasi Salvatore (D). A $ 1 per pack tax increase in the cigarette could be $ 152 million per year. A further problem, “the safeguarding of a new three-year commitment of the federal government, which account for about half of the funds of insurance covered by grants from the State of the Commonwealth Care program, Globe reports. Massachusetts wants 1.5 billion dollars over three years in the Federal Constitution-matching funds, but the Bush administration has reduced payments from the Confederation for the countries “around the world.
Even if the State could obtain sufficient funds from the value added tax and an increase in the Federal Government, the law on “the future depends on a slowdown in growth of costs in the health sector in general , a task many analysts say, is far more difficult than managing the complexity of the health reform in the law are the first place, “reports the Globe.
Leslie Kirwan, the state budget early official, last week, said, the financial situation with additional contributions from a coalition of insurance companies, hospitals and fight for consumers way to the law. She added that the government, perhaps also to review, “some of the original assumptions of the reform of health systems.” President of the Senate Therese Murray (D), has also been suggested that the State review the provisions of the Act as part of a “look at everything, but he felt DiMasi said it was still too early, the law of this country. sub-Gov His supporters are calling Deval Patrick’s (D) , the administration to request that additional contributions of businesses.
A council of the health insurance fund has the right to develop proposals to reduce spending growth and legislators are considering several bills, but the “immense task,” the Globe reports. Commonwealth Director of the health insurance connector valley Jon King said: “If we can not discuss seriously with the costs for health care, support for reforms, and to undermine the exercise is wider than prohibitive “(Dembner, Boston Globe, 3 / 26).