Coakley's detailed report warns that, perversely, this system is helping the expensive "have" providers to drive lower-priced "have nots" out of business — sending prices even higher.
Not coincidentally, those same hospitals and physicians' groups that hold such power in the marketplace also wield enormous influence on Beacon Hill. So it won't be easy for Patrick to move forward with regulations and laws to "bend the cost curve," as President Barack Obama likes to say.
Undoubtedly, Patrick hopes to make political hay of all this. His main challenger, Charlie Baker, was until recently in charge of Harvard Pilgrim — one of the insurance providers complicit in this scandalous system.
Baker, as the consummate health-care-provider insider, does indeed owe voters an explanation for his actions at Harvard Pilgrim, and a prescription for changing this untenable health-care market. But political posturing by both candidates should not distract from the task at hand: containing the unsustainable rise in health-care costs — now for the commonwealth, and perhaps later for the country.
Related:
Governor Fuzzy: Has Deval Patrick lost his edge — already?, Are Logan Airport pollution and Massport indifference killing Boston's proud clam-digging tradition?, Capuano for Senate, More 
- Governor Fuzzy: Has Deval Patrick lost his edge — already?
Some folks — including this newspaper — who supported Governor Deval Patrick's re-election and wish him well as he wrestles with the daunting task of steering Massachusetts through the next four years are scratching their heads.
- Are Logan Airport pollution and Massport indifference killing Boston's proud clam-digging tradition?
Denehy and other Boston clam farmers have come to face two seemingly impervious hurdles: a safety expansion at Logan Airport that will deplete two of their richest beaches, and a jet-fuel spill from last October that some allege wiped out half of Boston's soft-shell population.
- Capuano for Senate
After a telescoped campaign, Massachusetts Democrats go to the polls Tuesday to choose a successor to a legend, Ted Kennedy.
- Ready to rumble
Last summer, the upcoming race that got most Bay State politicos salivating was the run for governor.
- The Cultural Caucus's big gamble
The recently formed Cultural Caucus, a loose, formal coalition comprising a dozen arts-friendly state legislators, appears poised to christen its political life by inserting itself into what could be the most intense statewide political battle of the spring legislative session: the move to allow casino gambling in Massachusetts.
- Phantom Gourmet kisses ass, defends Upper Crust
The day after Christmas, those who follow the Phantom Gourmet's Facebook feed were treated to a provocative status update.
- Immigration activists miss a chance
New England activists had what may have been their biggest opportunity to thrust immigration front and center this past weekend — and some local activists are disappointed that the movement didn't make a better showing.
- Please, Mayor Menino, talk to Chiofaro
When Boston Mayor Thomas Menino took his oath of office for an unprecedented fifth term this past January, he made a promise that raised many eyebrows.
- A bankrobber downsizes
There's nothing like an art heist to make a journalist spout hyperbole.
- Is same-sex marriage the 2012 comeback kid?
A few years ago, the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders — a Boston-based legal advocacy organization — launched a "6 x 12" campaign to secure marriage rights for gay couples across New England by 2012.
- The Third Annual Phoenix Memorial Day look at the laughable state of Massachusetts politics
Hey, thanks for having me back for the Third Annual Boston Phoenix Memorial Day Political Roast! Good to see so many of you here — the last time I saw this many Beacon Hill insiders in one place was on the prospective witness list for the Sal DiMasi trial!
- Less
Topics:
The Editorial Page
, Deval Patrick, Deval Patrick, cabs, More
, Deval Patrick, Deval Patrick, cabs, News, taxi, Nation, editorial, health care, Charlie Baker, reform, Less
