Complex system requires complex changes Consumer involvement needed, perhaps through tiered plans Standardization and transparency in price and quality reporting needed Coordinated care, medical homes, bundled payments—all mean rewarding value and outcomes rather than services IT is critical A slow transition is needed In June, the Department of Healthcare Finance and Policy …
Continue reading “Report on annual hearing of the Department of HealthCare Finance and Policy”
Analysis of the Attorney General’s report: Examination of Health Care Cost Trends and Cost Drivers Pursuant to G.L. c. 118G, § 61?2(b) Report for Annual Public Hearing June 22, 2011 Wide disparities in healthcare payments exist that are not due to variations in quality Simply changing to global payments does not reduce costs More …
Continue reading “Analysis of Attorney General’s Report on Healthcare Cost Trends”
Hearing was the first of several Bill would change healthcare payments and organizations Everyone “pro” cost control, but some details at issue Providers concerned with over-regulation, lack of flexibility Others want public-option, public wellness provisions Committee concerned with cost estimates and funding The joint committee on healthcare finance held its first hearing regarding …
Continue reading “Report On Hearing Regarding Governor Patrick’s Healthcare Cost Control Bill”
Summary Massachusetts already has several levels of limits on malpractice suits and damages Pretrial tribunals Caps on non-economic damages Caps on attorney’s fees Malpractice rates set by the Insurance Commissioner Pretrial tribunals are not a significant barrier to pursuing a suit The amount of bond necessary to move forward is too low and has …
The practical potential for reducing health care costs by eliminating insurance mandates is less than commonly believed.
