Mass. Universal Care Faces Year-2 Reality

For those who like to believe there’s a free lunch, the table at Massachusetts’ universal health care scheme is being pared.

For those states, like California considering a similar scheme the politicians say will cost $14 billion, on top of an already $14-$18 billion budget deficit, better look again.

The Boston Globe reports on Massachusetts’ changes for 2008: “The changes will probably cut payments to doctors and hospitals, reduce choices for patients, and possibly increase how much patients have to pay.”

Costs of the Massachusetts universal scheme are, also, running 31% over expectations. In California terms, that could be an extra $4.3 billion.

In addition,

The connector postponed until February a decision on the most controversial step that would save the state money: increasing copayments and other out-of-pocket costs for tens of thousands of patients with an income above the poverty level.
Commonwealth Care members currently pay much less than those with private insurance to visit a doctor, get prescription drugs, or get hospital care.

The Massachusetts universal health care scheme is fulfilling expectations, of those who saw it as a fiscal and, even worse, patient care disaster in the making.