Gov. to sign bill to lower health costs

Associated Press

Updated: Aug 6, 2012 9:12 AM

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick will soon be signing into law a measure that aims to stem spiraling health care costs.

Patrick is scheduled to sign the legislation at State House's Nurses Hall on Monday morning.

The bill is intended to save Massachusetts up to $200 billion in health care costs over the next 15 years by encouraging the creation of "accountable care organizations" that take a more coordinated approach to medicine.

It also intends to give residents better access to their medical records and cut down on unnecessary testing.

The legislation aims to control health care costs that grew following a 2006 landmark law that requires nearly all residents to have health insurance coverage.

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