Massachusetts + Personal Mandate = Highest Premiums in U.S.

One argument in the health care debate is that we simply must require everyone to have health insurance, otherwise, those of us who do have insurance will pay more.

So how has that worked out in the one state that has actually done that?

Massachusetts has the most expensive family health insurance premiums in the country, according to a new analysis that highlights the state’s challenge in trying to rein in medical costs after passage of a landmark 2006 law that mandated coverage for nearly everyone.

Hasn’t the state at least kept the rate of increase under control? Consider this: Nationwide, premiums increased 33 percent between 2003 and 2008. In the Bay State, they increased 40 percent.

(Cross-posted from State House Call.)

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