Senate overrides some of Romney's health care vetoes

[Judi Lynn]

Senate overrides some of Romney's health care vetoes
By Steve LeBlanc, Associated Press Writer | May 4, 2006

BOSTON --The Democratic-controlled state Senate on Thursday restored several sections of the state's landmark health care law vetoed by Republican Gov. Mitt Romney, a week after the House overturned all eight vetoes.

The new law would require everyone in Massachusetts be insured by July 2007, providing subsidies and sliding-scale premiums to get poor and low-income residents into health plans. Those deemed able to afford insurance but who still refuse will face increasing tax penalties.

One of the vetoes overturned Thursday would restore a portion of the law guaranteeing dental benefits and eyeglasses to Medicaid recipients.

Romney had vetoed the dental benefit saying 60 percent of employers in the state don't offer the benefit to their workers. He also said the provision was unsustainable because it would cost $75 million a year.
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http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/05/04/senate_overrides_some_of_romneys_health_care_vetoes/

[Vinca]

1. I don't see how this plan can work unless health insurance

companies are reined in. There's nothing to stop the 20% or more a year increase in premiums. There's nothing to stop them from instituting the largest deductibles known to mankind. The insurance companies aren't fussy. They'll screw the state as happily as they screw individual consumers. It's like big oil, only you die if you don't have it.