Much of the anger and debate surrounding the Affordable Care Act focuses on questions of coverage and individual costs for the consumer.But another big question is whether it can hold down overall costs, as intended.The state of Massachusetts is now grappling with that very question, something it didn't do when lawmakers first expanded coverage there.NewsHour economics correspondent Paul Solman has the story, part of his continuing reporting Making Sense of financial news.The task of access to affordable health care is not complete.A meeting of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, which plumped for the 2006 state law on which the Affordable Care Act is modeled.It's led to nearly universal coverage in Massachusetts, but it didn't address costs. That's the next challenge.We're worried for the future.Myron Miller works at a small architecture firm.Our firm's overall health care expenditure has almost tripled over 10 years.Indeed, insurance premiums have continued to rise since health care reform passed in Massachusetts, climbing almost 10 percent from 2009 to 2011.And health care costs more here than in any state in the country.So, why is care so costly in Massachusetts? And what's being done about it? The whys are easy; the state is relatively wealthy, so people can afford more.Doctors here have more resources, and getting paid a fee for every service they provide, provide plentifully.
