Healthcare cost increases dominate Massachusetts budget debate

When Massachusetts launched its universal health insurance initiative, the state put off addressing rising costs. But now the state faces a recession, and pivotal funding decisions could make or break the state's landmark bid for health reform. A short-term funding problem may be solved quickly if Massachusetts approves an increase in the cigarette tax and devotes the money to healthcare reform. The plan's future rests on slowing the growth of healthcare costs in general, which analysts say is far more challenging than shaping the health reform law.