Mass. Senate to resume debate on health care bill

BOSTON (AP) -- The Massachusetts Senate is continuing discussion of a bill that takes aim at soaring health care costs.

As debate resumed on Thursday, more than 150 proposed amendments to the sweeping legislation remained to be discussed.

The bill sets an ambitious goal of reducing projected health care costs in the state by $150 billion over the next 15 years.

The measure would limit future growth in health care costs to no higher than annual growth in the overall state economy and create a new state agency that would monitor expenditures.

The legislation also seeks changes in the current medical malpractice system.