Spring 2017
HPC In the News

Mass. sets tougher target for health spending despite not meeting current goal
(Boston Globe, March 29, 2017)

Hope for devastating child disease comes at a cost: $750,000 a year
(Boston Globe, March 28, 2017)

(Worcester Business Journal, March 6, 2017)

Health care spending is on the rise in Massachusetts   
(WWLP, Feb. 16, 2017)
Recent MA Reports
The HPC released the 2016 Cost Trends Report last month. 

The Special Commission on Provider Price Variation, charged with identifying acceptable and unacceptable factors contributing to provider price variation, released their final report .

The Office of Patient Protection 2015 Annual Report was released earlier this month. 
Job Opportunities
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Keep in Touch
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Welcome! 
The HPC held a Board meeting earlier today to discuss the potential modification of the 2018 Health Care Cost Growth Benchmark and approve a regulation and policy governing performance improvement plans. Given this and other activities, we wanted to provide a summary of updates from the HPC. Check out more information below.
 
At the start of the new year, we were also thrilled to announce that the HPC is livestreaming all public meetings. Take a look at the HPC's YouTube page to see past recordings and tune in for upcoming meetings.
 
Thank you for your continued engagement in our program and policy work. 
 
Regards,
David Seltz
Executive Director
HPC Votes on the 2018 Health Care Cost Growth Benchmark for the Commonwealth
Chapter 224 of the Acts of 2012 established the health care cost growth benchmark, a statewide target for the rate of growth of total health care expenditures. The HPC Board sets the benchmark for the following calendar year annually between January 15 (when the potential gross state product (PGSP) is established) and April 15. CHIA  reports annually on the Commonwealth's performance against the benchmark. 

For calendar year 2018, the HPC's Board may modify the annual health care cost growth benchmark for the first time. The 2018 benchmark is set, by statute, at PGSP minus 0.5%, or 3.1%. The modification is pursuant to a public hearing process and engagement with the Legislature. 

The Board held a  public hearing on the potential modification on March 8, 2017. All testimony has been posted on the HPC's website. A video of the hearing can be found  here.

At the March 29, 2017 meeting, the HPC's Board unanimously established the 2018 benchmark at 3.1%. 
HPC Approves Regulation and Process for Performance Improvement Plans
Today, the HPC's Board approved a final regulation governing performance improvement plans (PIPs).  PIPs are one of the key mechanisms by which the HPC can enforce the benchmark and ensure accountability for the Commonwealth's cost containment goals.

The regulation will be accompanied by a policy on processing for PIPs. The HPC appreciates feedback provided by stakeholders on this regulation throughout the public comment process. The final regulation will take effect in April 2017. 
 
HPC Special Event
Consumer Preferences, Hospital Choices, and Demand-Side Incentives


Next month, the HPC will host a special event to release new findings and discuss consumer preferences, hospital choices, and demand-side incentives.  
 
With funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, HPC staff, in
conjunction with researchers from Tufts Medical School, conducted research to evaluate a patient's choice of community hospitals versus academic medical centers. Researchers from Harvard University are also expected to present on a recent study they conducted on the impact of tiered network health plans on hospital choice and overall spending. The event will culminate with a stakeholder reaction panel.

Public Meeting Schedule
Be sure to check our website for the most up-to-date information on meetings
Below, please find the 2016 and 2017 public meeting schedule. All Board and Advisory Council meetings, with the exception of the 2016 Cost Trends Hearing, will take place at 50 Milk Street at 12:00PM. 
 
Special Events
Consumer Preferences, Hospital Choices, and Demand-Side Incentives
April 10, 2017, 11:30AM, UMass Club

Board Meetings 
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, April 12, 2017
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, April 26, 2017 - CDPST/QIPP
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.