Single-digit hikes OK’d in Mass. health plans: A win for Patrick but insurers expect losses

The Boston Globe reports:

After rejecting double-digit increases earlier this year, Massachusetts regulators are allowing a more modest round of rate hikes to take effect in January for health insurance policies covering small businesses and individuals.


State officials hailed the smaller increases as a victory in Governor Deval Patrick’s campaign to rein in escalating health care costs.

Major insurers said they expect to lose money on the new policies but reluctantly limited the increases to avoid clashing with the Patrick administration as it pushes hospitals and doctors to hold down costs.

No word yet on this story from the Washington Post's Ezra Klein.