Senate passes health care cost containment bill on 35-2 vote

By Matt Murphy
State House News Service

In a step that lawmakers said would put Massachusetts on the leading edge of health care cost control, the Senate on Thursday night passed a bill estimated to trim $150 billion over 15 years from medical care costs by setting a growth target and encouraging providers and insurers to adopt alternative payment and care delivery models.

Mass. Senate budget would increase spending on local government and education, but not raise taxes or fees

By Noah Bierman
Boston Globe

The Massachusetts Senate released a $32.275 billion budget proposal today that increases spending on local government and education, withdraws $290 million from the state’s rainy day fund, and does not raise taxes or fees.

State Senate conjures new health cost

Delaying tactics go nowhere

By John J. Monahan 
Telegram & Gazette

As the Senate opened debate yesterday on a major health care cost control bill, Republicans tried in vain to delay action until after the U.S. Supreme Court rules next month on the constitutionality of national health care reforms.

May 15, 2012

Senator Moore's opening remarks to commence debate on payment reform

"The debate that begins today marks the fourth time since 2006 that this Senate has held a substantive discussion of steps to improve health care for everyone in this Commonwealth. I ask the indulgence of the Senate to provide some background that, I believe, will help the members and the people of Massachusetts to understand how we got to this point and what principles informed our drafting of Senate Bill 2260 toward the goal of improving the quality of health care and reducing costs through increased transparency, efficiency and innovation. This bill is not the product of one, or even a few, individuals, but is cumulative result of the collective input of every member of the Senate and numerous individuals and organizations who have contributed their ideas over, at least, the last six years.