Depsite Costs, Mass. Gov't Continues Providing Subsidized Health Care

Gov. Deval Patrick's administration is out with a plan to maintain subsidized coverage for 174,000 low- to moderate-income residents.

While states around the country are trimming government health insurance, Secretary for Administration and Finance Jay Gonzalez said Massachusetts will preserve near universal coverage.

"Our goal is to continue to provide coverage to everyone who is eligible for it, continue our nation-leading record in access to affordable health care and to do so in a way where we aren’t cutting benefits," Gonzalez said.

But there’s no additional money for subsidized coverage, known as Commonwealth Care, and enrollment is expected to grow.

In return for more members, Gonzalez is telling Commonwealth Care insurers they must provide the same care at lower costs. He said this is doable if the insurers limit where patients go and do a better job of managing care.