U.S. Boost for Health Plan

Massachusetts’ landmark health care program will receive an additional $21.2 billion of federal reimbursement over the next three years, a $4.3 billion boost in federal funding.

Gov. Deval Patrick last week announced Washington’s renewal of the state’s health care reform waiver, which will help support the state’s health care program for another three years. That program mandates that all residents carry health care insurance through an employer, school, or Medicare/Medicaid program, yet also offers a state-run health insurance program called Commonwealth Care.

The federal government agreed to reimburse Massachusetts up to $21.2 billion over the next three years for Medicaid costs, an increase of $4.3 billion compared to current funding levels.

“In less than two years, health care reform in Massachusetts has made a difference,” Patrick said in a press release. “Nearly 440,000 adults and children are newly insured and total system costs have begun to level off. These are remarkable achievements. This new federal agreement ensures we can build on that success and continue to work toward universal coverage.”

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