Report: Red Lights on the Way to Health Care

In Massachusetts, geographic obstacles such as long travel times and limited local hospital availability can create hidden affordability burdens, especially in rural or underserved regions, reports the CommonWealth Beacon. Hospital consolidation and funding pressures (including possible cuts to Medicaid) are raising concerns that cost-burdens and access-gaps will widen for vulnerable populations. As a part of the Critical Condition project, the CommonWealth Beacon describes affordability issues that expand beyond premium and deductible costs, such as geography, transportation, workforce shortages, and facility closures that drive up patient costs and hinder access to care.