Hawaii and Massachusetts: Lessons from the States

Abstract

As the nation gears up for another presidential season and a major national debate over the reform of our health-care system, policy makers in Washington would be well advised to look to the states for advice and experience. There is not a state in the country that is not currently struggling with the skyrocketing cost of Medicaid. Employers are crying for relief from health insurance costs that have risen by over fifty percent in the last three years. Businesses and unions are telling governors across the country that something has to be done to control workers' compensation costs-costs that are being driven up largely by the runaway cost of health care.