LOTS OF POLITICIANS might like to claim credit for implementing universal health care in Massachusetts (including Mitt Romney, er, sometimes). But after the photo ops are done, it’s the state’s insurance exchange — the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority — that will determine whether it’s successful or not. No one knows that pressure more than Glen Shor, involved with the agency virtually since its beginning six years ago, first as Deval Patrick’s point person on health care and, since June 2010, as the authority’s executive director.
National health care may have survived a Supreme Court challenge in June, but its future is still up in the air — especially, ironically, if Romney is elected president in November (he’s vowed to work to repeal the law). Given that uncertainty, Shor believes the outcome of health care reform in Massachusetts has a direct effect on support of the law nationally. “Our North Star is what makes things better for the people and small businesses of Massachusetts,” says the 40-year-old Shor. “Having said that, we realize people are looking to our experience as a bellwether as to whether national health reform can deliver the goods.”
Comments
A basic fact check is needed here. Massachusetts health care spending has risen from 36% of the state budget in 2006 when the law was forst implemented to 43% in 2011. Massachusetts spends $9,278 per person per year on health care, more than any other state. Health care costs are NOT under control by any reasonable interpretation and in fact are seen as the #1 threat to the state's fiscal solvency. See the June 24 CBS News report at http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57459563/massachusetts-health-care-plan-6-years-later/?pageNum=2&tag=contentMain;contentBody for more information.
Massachusetts health care spending has risen from 36% of the state budget in 2006 when the law was implemented to 43% in 2011. Massachusetts spends $9,278 per person per year on health care, more than any other state. Health care costs are NOT under control by any reasonable interpretation and in fact are seen as the #1 threat to the state's fiscal solvency. See the June 24 CBS News report at http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57459563/massachusetts-health-care-plan-6-years-later/?pageNum=2&tag=contentMain;contentBody for more information.