BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts lawmakers have given final approval to a bill
designed to save up to $200 billion in health care costs over the next 15
years.
Gov. Deval Patrick said he looks forward to signing the bill.
Legislative leaders say the bill will also help guarantee the future of the
state's landmark 2006 health care law and set Massachusetts on a path to being
the first state to holding the future growth of health care costs close to the
rate of inflation.
The bill also encourages the creation of so-called "accountable care
organizations" which take a more coordinated approach to medicine, while also
giving residents better access to their medical records and cutting down on
unnecessary testing.
The legislation also includes $135 million in grants to help community
hospitals adopt electronic medical records systems.
