Statement From Governor Deval Patrick Relative to Health Care Costs for Small Businesses

http://devalpatrick.com/entries/statement_from_governor_deval_patrick_relative_to_health_care_costs_for_small_businesses

Statement From Governor Deval Patrick Relative to Health Care Costs for Small Businesses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:
Alex Goldstein
617-367-2010x241

"What we need are real solutions now. I have directed the Commissioner of Insurance to review rate increases by April 1 and deny excessive premium increases. We have also proposed a set of solutions before the Legislature that will cut health care premiums for small businesses and families now. The simple question is: will Charlie Baker and Tim Cahill join me in supporting these proposals? So far, neither will answer that question.

We are starting to recover from the global economic crisis, and small businesses in Massachusetts will drive that growth and create new jobs. They need help now. Neither Charlie Baker nor Tim Cahill have indicated that they will stand with me to help small businesses lower their health care costs.

Providing affordable and quality health care for Massachusetts families has been a hallmark of my administration, and our efforts are paying off. We lead the nation with over 97% of our residents covered, not by accident, but because we focused on expanding access while limiting costs. While private insurance companies have slammed small businesses and families with double digit increases in their premiums this year, Commonwealth Care has held its premiums at the same level as the previous year. Meanwhile, we continue to work with stakeholders across the health care industry to develop a long term solution to provide relief for countless businesses and families.

I agree with Charlie Baker about the value of transparency. But it means little to the regular person paying those whopping increases in health insurance premiums year after year who need action now. Charlie Baker spent 9 years calling the shots as CEO of a health insurance company, and all we have seen are skyrocketing health care coverage costs during that time."

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