March 8, 2017 – Benchmark Hearing
Hearing on the Potential Modification of the 2018 Health Care Cost Growth Benchmark: March 8, 2017
For the first time under the framework set forth in Chapter 224, the HPC Board may modify the annual health care cost growth benchmark established in statute for calendar year 2018. As required by state law, the HPC will set the 2018 benchmark equal to potential gross state product minus 0.5 percent, or 3.1%, unless the HPC determines that an adjustment to the benchmark is reasonably warranted. The HPC held a hearing on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 1:00 pm at our offices to solicit feedback from market participants, stakeholders, and other interested parties on whether modification of the benchmark is appropriate. Members of the public were invited to present up to three minutes of testimony at the hearing.
Notice of Hearing - 2018 Benchmark Modification (opens in a new tab)
Agenda (opens in a new tab)
Presentation (opens in a new tab)
Testimony
List of public testimony (opens in a new tab)
The following parties submitted written testimony on whether modification of the benchmark is appropriate:
- 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East (opens in a new tab)
- Associated Industries of Massachusetts (opens in a new tab)
- Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (opens in a new tab)
- American Nurses Association Massachusetts (opens in a new tab)
- Beth Israel Deaconess Care Organization (opens in a new tab)
- Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals (opens in a new tab)
- Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (opens in a new tab)
- Health Care For All (opens in a new tab)
- Massachusetts Senior Care Association (opens in a new tab)
- Massachusetts Association of Health Plans (opens in a new tab)
- Massachusetts Hospital Association (opens in a new tab)
- Massachusetts Medical Society (opens in a new tab)
- Massachusetts Nurses Association (opens in a new tab)
- Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation (opens in a new tab)
- Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee (opens in a new tab)
- Steward Health Care System (opens in a new tab)
- Kathleen Keough, Ph.D. RN-BC (opens in a new tab)