Seen in a Boston Globe blog:
The state’s new subsidized health insurance program will cost “significantly” more than the $869 million proposed in the governor’s FY2009 budget just two months ago, the state’s top financial official said today.
The budget gap looms despite steps taken today to hold down state costs—approval of a tough contract with insurers, and increased premiums and copayments for about half of the 176,000 people enrolled.
The monthly premiums and copays are still modest for low income folks in the state plan. However, I wonder how long it will be before my big fear about state health plans—that the state is obliged to regulate or levy taxes to combat health care costs—starts to come true.