Mass. Health Care Law Costing More Than Expected

Massachusetts is projecting that its landmark law extending health care coverage to nearly all citizens may cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars more than expected.

The subsidized insurance program that provides free or subsidized insurance for low- and moderate-income residents is expected to double in size and expense over the next three years.

Projections obtained by the Boston Globe show the Commonwealth Care program reaching 342,000 people and $1.35 billion in annual expenses by June 2011.

That’s more than anticipated for the Commonwealth Care program, mainly because officials underestimated the number of uninsured residents.

Governor Patrick’s administration sought the new estimates to launch negotiations for federal funding.

The law has thrust Massachusetts to the center of the national debate on health care reform.

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Information from: The Boston Globe, http://www.boston.com/globe