The Feasibility of Consolidated Health Care Financing and Streamlined Health Care Delivery in Massachusetts

As part of a Managed Care law passed by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2000 (Chapter 141 of the Acts of 2000, Section 32), the Commonwealth was charged with funding a study to explore the possibilities of “consolidated” financing of health care, combined with “streamlined” delivery.

The report finished in 2002 by LECG, along with providing one of the most detailed portraits of the existing health care system in Massachusetts, estimated three different approaches to consolidating and streamlining our health care. The first was to expand the Medicaid program; the second was to mandate a basic benefit package across all insurers; the third was a single payer system for Massachusetts.

The study found that, by far, a single payer system would provide the most expansive coverage - guaranteeing first rate health care for all residents.

REPORT DOCUMENTS

• Full Report of the LECG.

OTHER REPORTS ON MASSACHUSETTS SINGLE-PAYER REFORM

• Solutions for Progress/Boston University Report on single-payer reform: one of two studies commissioned by the Massachusetts Medical Society.
• Lewin Group’s Report on single-payer reform: the second study commissioned by the Massachusetts Medical Society.