Patients and doctors are now trapped in a vicious circle. In 2009, insurance prices for individuals will rise 10% to 12%, twice the national average. Costs to Massachusetts continue to rise; the state has asked the federal government to help make up the shortfall of hundreds of millions of dollars. The state is also considering raising taxes and requiring businesses, hospitals, and insurers to pay more to fund the program. Meanwhile, the state plans to slash payments to doctors and hospitals by 3% to 5%, making it that much harder for patients to find a physician willing to see them.
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May 2009One hates to contemplate: If RANDCOMPARE finds that an individual mandate is the most cost-effective strategy for decreasing the number of uninsured, what are some of the really expensive strategies?
-Marlene Piturro, PhD, MBA
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