LETTER: Show Me The Health Care Savings!

Dear Editor:

Let me start by saying that I in fact do believe in Universal Health Care.  That being said, I want to pose a question I have.  Massachusetts is unique in that we are the only State that has Universal Health Care for our residents.  Going forward when National Health Care fully takes effect in 2014, I need to know what plan the State Legislature has to address duplications between both efforts.

 Is the State going to modify their plan to compliment the National Plan?   Are they going to repeal the State plan so that everyone will come under the Federal Plan? More importantly, what are the savings at the State level that will be recognized with some of these duplications?  We are being told that 40% of Massachusetts costs are associated with health costs.  I worked over 40 years in the finance business and can tell you there should be substantial savings at the State level because of this national effort.  It is time the State Legislature and Governor became pro-active and looked at this from a financial standpoint. 

I truly believe that National Health Care is a good thing but I also believe,before the Governor asks for additional taxes, he needs to address potential cost saving efforts in earnest.

Sincerely yours,

Jerry Selissen

Tewksbury