Mass. Senate to tackle health care payment plan

BOSTON (AP) -- The Massachusetts Senate is considering a wide-ranging bill aimed at driving down health care costs in the state.

Debate started on Tuesday after senators overwhelmingly rejected a bid by Republican leader Bruce Tarr to postpone the debate until after the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the 2010 national health care law.

Tarr argued the high court's decision could have an impact on elements of the bill, which seeks to reduce health care expenditures by more than $150 billion over the next 15 years by pegging growth in health care expenditures to overall growth in the state economy.

Gov. Deval Patrick praised lawmakers on Tuesday for tackling health care payment reform. But the governor told business leaders Tuesday he was not convinced of the need for a new semi-independent state agency to oversee health costs.