Massachusetts governor weighs insurance hearing

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has asked the state's most prominent hospital and health insurance leaders to take quick action to hold down rapidly rising healthcare costs, suggesting that if they did not take steps on their own, they might face new government regulation. Patrick said he is considering holding hearings on health insurance premiums and the primary driver of premium increases—the rates hospitals charge insurers for members' medical care. He has also said the state Division of Insurance has the power to reject rates it deems excessive.