By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Massachusetts UnionsTake a Wise Turn on Health Care
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Health Reform > Massachusetts UnionsTake a Wise Turn on Health Care
Health Reform

Massachusetts UnionsTake a Wise Turn on Health Care

DavidEWilliams
DavidEWilliams
Share
2 Min Read
SHARE

Massachusetts cities and towns face huge long-term health care financing challenges, thanks to ill-considered policies that allowed health insurance benefits for unionized jobs such as firefighters and teachers to get totally out of control. The legislature is finally taking some modest steps to let the municipalities control costs somewhat by moving into the very successful program run by the Group Insurance Commission (GIC).

Massachusetts cities and towns face huge long-term health care financing challenges, thanks to ill-considered policies that allowed health insurance benefits for unionized jobs such as firefighters and teachers to get totally out of control. The legislature is finally taking some modest steps to let the municipalities control costs somewhat by moving into the very successful program run by the Group Insurance Commission (GIC). Unions have fought related reforms bitterly in the past but are now starting to relent, according to recent Boston Globe articles such as this one.

That’s a savvy move on their part. First, citizens of the Commonwealth are slowly starting to wake up to the fact that health care benefits for public employees and retirees are substantially more generous than those in the private sector. Second, moving to a GIC plan can keep benefits generous while controlling costs. Third, we’re already at the point where health care costs are crowding out spending on vital services such as education, and it won’t be long before the backlash begins.

No doubt some of the anti public union rhetoric from Wisconsin is encouraging the unions to be more flexible. Massachusetts is not on the verge of following the Wisconsin path, but the unions are smart to be conciliatory.

More Read

Screenshot 2014-03-25 06.46.47
A New Form of Insurance Denial of Coverage
Knocking Down the Walls: Healthcare Reform That Will Drive Remote Patient Engagement
Telemedicine’s Impact on Value-based Care
The Affordable Care Act: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
8 Of The Most Bizarre Medical Malpractice Cases Out There

 


TAGGED:health care reformMassachussettsunions
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

How Much Does an MRI Cost? $425 to $2530

March 8, 2014
ACA health reform
BusinessHealth ReformHospital AdministrationPolicy & LawPublic Health

Health Reform Beyond the ACA: Are We Inching Towards Consensus?

October 27, 2013

Calling for More Than an Ounce of Prevention

November 1, 2012
healthcare tech
BusinesseHealthHealth ReformMedical InnovationsMobile HealthPublic HealthTechnology

Healthcare Companies Are Now Technology Companies?

May 21, 2014
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?