Mass. cost control legislation advances to Senate committee

The measure, more than a year old, was initially put forth by Gov. Deval Patrick but the panel's chair predicted "a significant redraft" before it reaches the Senate flooor.

Boston Globe: Health Care Bill Advances To Mass. Senate Panel
After more than a year of review, Governor Deval Patrick's health care bill advanced Wednesday without changes, but a Senate committee chairman indicated that the proposal will receive a makeover before it reaches the Senate floor. "The bill that advances to the Ways and Means Committee today will be subject to a significant redraft by the committee," Senator Richard Moore said in a statement. Moore cochairs the joint committee that released Patrick's bill to the Senate Ways and Means Committee (Cheney and Murphy, 4/26).

WBUR: Report: Lower Health Care Cost Growth Means Big Savings
As state legislators put the finishing touches on a major health care cost-control bill, one big question is: How much will it save? A report out Thursday says employers and employees would see between $8 billion and $35 billion in savings over nine years (Bebinger, 4/26).

Earlier, related KHN coverage: Different Takes: How Massachusetts Can Control Health Care Costs (4/12).