Survey: Mass. Health Care Costs Key Issue for Residents

A recent Harvard School of Public Health survey commissioned by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation found that 88% of Massachusetts residents want the state government to take stronger steps to address the issue of high health care costs. Thirty-two percent of respondents said the state should take the lead on the issue, compared with 27% who favored insurers and 19% who favored health care providers leading such efforts. However, just 48% are confident the task can be achieved. Survey respondents pointed to drugmakers, health insurers, waste and fraud in the health care system, and individuals with poor personal health behaviors for the rising costs.

• "Poll: Public Wants State Action on Health Care Costs" (Conaboy, "White Coat Notes," Boston Globe, 10/21).
• "Most in Massachusetts Want State Push on Health Costs" (Krasny, Reuters, 10/21).