Redefining "Shared Responsibility"

The Patrick Administration says hospitals, health insurers and employers must contribute more to sustain the state's universal health care law. The latest estimates say the cost of providing free and subsidized coverage will be 300 to 400-million dollars more than budgeted next year. Governor Deval Patrick says the program is straining the state budget.

We have to reckon with that. And when I say we, I do not mean we in state government alone. I mean you and me. Because we invented it and we share responsibility for it.

The administration is proposing to charge employers whose workers enroll in government funded health insurance and raises fees on insurance companies and hospitals. Health and Human Services Secretary JudyAnn Bigby explained the plan at the annual Blue Cross Foundation meeting this morning (click here for her presentation). Business, hospital and health insurance leaders say significant increases, but are willing to talk. The state has already raised copays and co-premiums for residents on subsidized coverage.

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