The Latest on Health Care Costs

Governor Patrick at a recent Summer Conversations forum in Milford. (Matt Bennett)

The Governor and Lt. Governor are in the midst of their Summer Conversations tour, holding public forums with Massachusetts residents in communities across the Commonwealth. 

At each stop, one issue keeps coming up: the cost of health care.  Even though 98% of Massachusetts residents have access to health insurance, it is far too expensive for small businesses and working families.

That's why the Governor has introduced groundbreaking legislation that will help make quality health care more accessible to everyone. 

Here's a quick, easy summary of where we are right now with health care in Massachusetts and what Governor Patrick is proposing. Health care reform is complicated. But this one page summary should help clear some things up. Check it out below and share it with a friend. 

Here are some other resources to help learn more about Governor Patrick's plan to bring down health care costs:

• Check out an online summary of the plan at ma.gov/governor/healthcosts
• Read Governor Patrick's recent statement at the Division of Health Care Financing and Policy Annual Cost Trends Hearing
• Read Governor Patrick's testimony before the legislature on his Health Care Cost Containment plan

Comments

[Jeanne Wolfendale]

Our city was put into the state insurance company, GIC. As a medical professional, I can't understand why we now pay more for our insurance but get less. I am allergic to a particular generic and must take the brand name twice a day. My copay is outrageous. I was told there is a penalty I have to pay because I take a brand name. So the first time I bought this medicine under this plan, it cost me $77/mo. The second time, it cost me $112/mo. This time, they want to charge me over $165/mo and make me buy three months supply! What can be done about this. WE have no choice but to take this insurance. BCBS cost us less and we got much better benefits from them.