While lawmakers in Washington, D.C., fight over a problematic national healthcare reform bill
that includes an individual mandate, the only state in the nation with such a law in placeÑMassachuettsÑis seeing
positive returns on that front. Data from the state department of revenue shows the vast majority of tax filers are insured
and in compliance with the requirement to report that insurance on their tax form. In Rhode Island, the state's largest
insurerÑBlue Cross & Blue ShieldÑhas launched a patient-centered medical home initiative focused on chronic diseases
Plans are to have more than 100 primary-care physicians on board by year's end. Meanwhile, BC/BS of Massachusetts
continues to lead the Bay State in total HMO enrollment, though Tufts Health Plan is the largest Medicare Advantage
HMO plan. The Blue plan in Massachusetts says about one-fifth of its network providers are in global capitation contracts
with compensation tied to quality.