Rep. Walsh to lead key Health Care Financing Committee

LYNN – State Rep. Steven Walsh, D-Lynn, was tapped last week by House Speaker Robert DeLeo to serve as chairman of the key Health Care Financing Committee, as the governor and the Legislature commit to health care reform to reign in costs that account for half of the commonwealth?s $30 billion budget.?Health care is the one issue that affects everybody,” Walsh said Sunday night. “The next chapter of health care reform is the biggest challenge facing the Legislature this session, The Speaker has suggested it is his biggest priority and I?m honored the he has placed this responsibility with me.”Walsh, who replaces Rep. Harriett Stanley as chairman of the Health Care Financing, formerly served as a vice chairman of the Public Health Committee and most recently as chairman of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, the Federal Stimulus Oversight Committee, and on the Community Development and Small Business Committee.Last session Walsh was among those who sponsored legislation to allow small businesses to form co-ops to purchase health insurance.?That?s something that will given small businesses relief in the coming months,” he said.The 5th term Democrat, along with other members of the Lynn delegation including Sen. Thomas McGee, has also championed a number of substance abuse bills last session.Walsh noted the Health Care Financing Committee, the only other Legislative panel than Ways & Means that can appropriate funds, will be keenly focused on cost containment and transparency in health insurance and health care pricing.The commonwealth?s near-universal health care law has proven to be a double-edged sword, Walsh said.?We have the lowest percentage of uninsured in the country, but we have the highest percentage of utilization (of health care) at a high expense,” he said. “We don?t need people going to a teaching hospital to have an x-Ray on their foot. We have to have people utilize their community hospitals and health centers.”Similarly, he said, citizens deserve to have a simple explanation of their health coverage.?People spend weeks researching and asking friends when they want to buy a new car for $20,000. Many are making a $20,000-a-year investment on health care, and they don?t know what they?re purchasing,” he said.Walsh said he anticipates his new committee leadership assignment will be a significant time commitment, but one he welcomes.?The committee is the last stop for all legislation on health care,” he said, noting last session the committee acted on more than 300 bills.?We will hear the governor coming out with a major payment reform plan, and we?ll look at cost-saving measures.”