Report: More Mass. residents struggling to pay medical bills

BOSTON (AP) -- A new report says the benefits of Massachusetts' 2006 health care law are being undermined by soaring costs, coupled with the recession.

The third annual "Update on Health Reform in Massachusetts" published Thursday says that after initial gains in affordability, an increasing percentage of people are reporting problems paying medical bills.

The Boston Globe reports that the survey of about 4,000 adults found that a growing number of people are reporting that they did not get needed care because of costs, which are rising faster than inflation.

The survey was conducted by the Urban Institute, a social policy think tank, also found that public support for the state's health care initiative is strong with about 70 percent of those surveyed backing the law.