National health reform looks a lot like what has been implemented in Massachusetts. Will Massachusetts lead the way on cost control too? If so, it might look like this:
There is fairly broad agreement on how to fix the system. A state commission —including representatives of government, insurers, doctors and hospitals—recommended in July that Massachusetts adopt a “global payment” system. Health professionals would be paid for caring for patients over a certain period of time, rather than compensated for each test or treatment.
That’s from today’s Wall Street Journal (h/t Ezra Klein’s Wonkbook). I’ll believe that there’s “broad agreement” when I see the new payment system based on it implemented. How long will that take?
