The Inferior Massachusetts Health Care Plan

Some people may reject analysis of socialized medicine in Europe or Canada based on the idea that "we can do it better in America".  But the state of Massachusetts is proving this line of thinking to be incorrect.  Massachusetts adopted a government run universal health care plan in 2006 and in only three years has created a myriad of problems.  

State spending on health care has increased 42 percent in Massachusetts since 2006 which is 33 percent above the national average.  According to a Cato study, insurance premiums have been increasing at nearly double the national average average (9% in 2009).  

Taxes have gone up to pay for the plan, but they aren't enough.  The plan is racking up a significant deficit and the Massachusetts government is discussing cuts in reimbursing doctors and further rationing of care to make up the deficit.  

The Boston Globe reports the average wait is now 63 days to see a family doctor and 50 days to see a specialist.  

The number of uninsured has come down, but not dramatically.  Cato estimates over 200,000 are still uninsured.  

The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council ranks Massachusetts last of all 50 states for business friendly health care policies.  

Government medicine hasn't worked in other countries around the world and it's proving to be equally unsuccessful in the United States as well.