Kudos to the Globe and Liz Kowalczyk for today’s story exploring the positions of the three Democratic gubernatorial candidates on health care issues facing the state. To my knowledge, this is the first time the candidates have gone on the record in such a detailed fashion beyond their own position papers.
So what’s the news? Not that much. Lots of good — and safe — ideas that will avoid getting anyone upset. The one clear difference between all three Dems and Rep. Kerry Healey involves over-the-counter sales of hypodermic needles to stem HIV transmission. Will this be a hot button issue in November? Hard to see. If Healey stoops to that one, it’s Miller time for the Dems.
The one difference among the three involves employer responsibility and health reform — specifically, whether the $295 assessment on employers who don’t cover their workers is adequate.
Chris Gabrieli is clear it’s not enough: “…a flat $295 assessment regardless of the size of the employer may not provide enough money to cover the state’s liability …I believe we have to do more to be sure that employers pay their fair share, to take more of the burden off the state.”
Tom Reilly is clear that it’s enough: “The next Governor should strive to make the new healthcare reform law succeed with the current $295 business assessment. I have no intention of increasing that assessment.”
And Deval Patrick is clear that he’s not going to be entirely clear: “I prefer to live with the agreed $295 at the outset and see if we can make that work.” Deval is the only candidate in the race who supported the House/DiMasi payroll assessment proposal earlier this year of 5/7% on employers who don’t cover their workers along with eliminating the existing $160 million assessment on employers who do cover their workers.
Is there no candidate who wants to discuss the blatant unfairness of taxing employers who cover their workers to subsidize employers who don’t?
John McDonough
