The Boston Globe reports on the continuing problems of the Massachusetts health plan:

When Massachusetts launched its landmark universal health insurance initiative nearly two years ago, the state put off addressing rising costs so it could expand coverage immediately. Now those costs are dominating the discussion as the state faces a recession and pivotal funding decisions that could make or break health reform.

With a state funding shortfall that would only temporarily be closed with higher cigarette taxes and a federal shortfall that depends on the generosity of HHS, the financial sustainability of this plan is highly questionable. And yet other states seem determined to look to Massachusetts as a state to emulate.