Late Spring 2017
HPC In the News
(BBJ, April 11, 2017)

(Business West, April 4, 2017)

(CT Mirror, April 3, 2017)

(WBUR, March 29, 2017)

(Boston Globe, March 28, 2017)
Recent Reports
The HPC released a factsheet on Phase 1 of the CHART Investment Program in March 2017.

The Office of Patient Protection 2015 Annual Report was released in March 2017. 
Job Opportunities
The HPC is currently accepting applications for:
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Keep in Touch
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Welcome! 
It has been a busy few months at the HPC. Since January 2017, the HPC released the 2016 Cost Trends Report, set the 2018 health care cost growth benchmark at 3.1%, hosted a special event on consumer preferences and hospital choice, and held 13 public meetings.  Thank you for your continued engagement in our program and policy work. 

In this newsletter, we are pleased to announce the creation of a new webpage,  HPC DataPoints,  dedicated to sharing new and interesting research analyzed by the HPC. 

Please be aware that the May 10 HPC Board meeting has been cancelled. The HPC's Board will next meet on June 14, 2017. As a reminder, the HPC livestreams all public meetings. Take a look at our  YouTube page to see past recordings and tune in for upcoming meetings. 
 
Regards,
David Seltz
Executive Director
HPC DataPoints: New Research Webpage
The first entry examines oral health related ED visits in Massachusetts with an interactive map
This month, the HPC is pleased to introduce HPC DataPoints, a webpage for sharing a series of online briefs that will spotlight new research and data findings relevant to the HPC's mission to drive down the cost of health care. HPC DataPoints will showcase brief overviews and interactive graphics on relevant health policy topics. The analysis underlying these briefs is conducted by staff on the HPC's Research and Cost Trends team. As you read through HPC DataPoints, we encourage you to engage with the interactive graphics by hovering your mouse over different data points to obtain additional information. 



The first entry in HPC DataPoints features the release of new information on emergency department visits for preventable oral health conditions in Massachusetts, including an examination of these visits by geographic region, age group, and community income. Notably, we found that from 2013 to 2015 the number of oral health ED visits increased 15% among children ages 5 to 10 and seniors ages 75 to 84. This post updates the HPC's August 2016 Oral Health Brief. To read HPC DataPoints, click here.
HPC Special Event
Consumer Preferences, Hospital Choices, and Demand-Side Incentives


Last month, the HPC held a special event to showcase  research designed to understand consumer preferences and perceptions of value in choosing health care providers. The HPC's research, conducted in conjunction with Tufts University School of Medicine and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, also investigated what might lead consumers to seek routine care at lower-cost community hospitals rather than higher-cost academic medical centers. 

Following the HPC and academic presentations, the event culminated in a stakeholder panel discussion (pictured above) with audience participation.

A full recording of the event can be found here on the HPC's YouTube page.
Public Meeting Schedule
Be sure to check our website for the most up-to-date information on meetings
Below, please find the 2017 public meeting schedule. All Board and Advisory Council meetings, with the exception of the 2017 Cost Trends Hearing, will take place at 50 Milk Street at 12:00PM. 
 
Board Meetings 
CANCELLED Wednesday, May 10, 2017 
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
 
Cost Trends Hearing
Monday, October 2 and Tuesday, October 3
 
Advisory Council Meetings
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Committee Meetings
Unless otherwise noted, the first meeting is at 9:30AM, followed by the second meeting at 11AM.
Wednesday, May 31, 2017 - CTMP/CHICI
Wednesday, June 7, 2017 - CDPST/QIPP
Wednesday, July 5, 2017 - CTMP/CHICI
Wednesday, July 19, 2017 - CDPST/QIPP
Wednesday, September 6, 2017 - CTMP/CHICI
Wednesday, October 18, 2017 - CDPST/QIPP
Wednesday, October 25, 2017 - CTMP/CHICI
Wednesday, November 29, 2017 - CDPST/QIPP
Wednesday, December 6, 2017 - CTMP/CHICI

All meeting dates are subject to change. Please check our  website  for updated information.