Boston Globe Examines Health Stances of Massachusetts Gubernatorial Candidates

The next governor of Massachusetts -- likely state Treasurer Shannon O'Brien (D) or businessman Mitt Romney (R) -- will have to manage a health care system "where the problems are back with a vengeance," the Boston Globe reports. Massachusetts faces increased health insurance premiums, an increased number of uninsured residents and a lack of funds for programs such as Medicaid, the Globe reports. In addition, many groups, such as consumers, employers and hospital executives, will "pressure the next governor intensely" for funds and attention. Ronald Hollander, president of the Massachusetts Hospital Association, said, "Health care is going to need immediate and sustained help. And the new governor should immediately declare it a priority." According to the Globe, the next governor will likely have to address:

• Medicaid costs: The next governor will have to enact programs to control costs in the state's $5.4 billion Medicaid program, which accounts for 25% of the state budget, and avoid service reductions for low-income residents. According to the Globe, the next governor "may be forced to impose immediate budget cuts" on the program, in large part because Massachusetts has not implemented many "money-saving strategies" used in other states.
  
• Health insurance: The next governor will have to enact programs to ensure that state residents do not lose their health coverage as a result of increased costs. The next governor, for example, could expand a state program that provides small businesses with subsidies to purchase health insurance for employees. According to the Globe, an increase in the number of uninsured residents may prompt community hospitals to lobby for increased Medicaid reimbursements for services.
  
• Prescription drug costs: The next governor will have to enact programs to control prescription drug costs. The incoming governor, for example, could implement state-administered prescription drug purchasing pools, in which the state would use the combined purchasing power of state employees, municipal employees, Medicaid beneficiaries and employees at not-for-profit companies to obtain discounts on the cost of medications.
  
• Health care worker shortage: The state faces a "potentially serious" shortage of health care workers, and the next governor will have to enact programs to ensure an "adequate labor force" to prevent decreases in the health care quality and research. The next governor, for example, could fund health care education and recruitment programs at community colleges (Kowalczyk, Boston Globe, 10/16).
  

Lt. Gov. Candidates Speak Out
In related news, the Democratic and Republican candidates for lieutenant governor on Oct. 16 outlined some of their health care views in separate speeches to the Massachusetts Medical Society, which publishes the New England Journal of Medicine, the Globe reports. O'Brien's running-mate, Chris Gabrieli (D), proposed implementing programs to reduce Medicaid prescription drug costs and using the savings to increase access to Medicaid. Gabrieli said the next governor should develop a "comprehensive plan" to stop doctors from leaving the state, increase hospital staffing levels and boost the supply of hospital beds. "Emergency rooms are used as holding areas for other patients because the hospitals don't have enough staffing and beds to treat them," he said. Romney's running-mate, Kerry Healey (R), said Romney would "bring the pharmaceutical companies, the hospitals, insurers, patients' rights groups ... to the table" to discuss health care improvements. In addition, Kerry said Romney wants to create an "absolute" cap on medical malpractice awards that even judges could not override. "We can't afford to be losing our best doctors, and it's particularly important to women. I've made it a women's issue," she said (Dade, Boston Globe, 10/17).