Publications

Research brief on children with medical complexity (CMC) in the Commonwealth, a report to the legislature. This analysis estimates the number of CMC in Massachusetts, analyzes their demographics, diagnoses, health coverage, access to and utilization of health care, and associated costs, and includes recommendations for ongoing data collection and reporting.

Midwives provide important care to birthing people, and midwifery is associated with good birth outcomes and lower costs. Despite this, the U.S. is significantly behind the global average for midwifery utilization amongst high-income nations. This HPC Short examines the state of midwifery in the Commonwealth and recommendations from the HPC to improve this landscape.

Pursuant to Mass. general laws ch.111, § 25C(g) and (i) and the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) regulations at 105 CMR 100.405(D), the Health Policy Commission (HPC) submits the following comment regarding the above-referenced matters and the independent cost-analyses (ICAs) thereof for consideration by DPH and the applicant, Mass General Brigham (MGB).

Despite favorable outcomes associated with midwifery care, and the potential of midwife-led care to help to address ongoing racial disparities in birth outcomes, rates of midwife-attended births in the U.S. remain low. The Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) and Maternity Care in Massachusetts report examines the state of midwifery in the Commonwealth and provides recommendations to improve this landscape.

Case study of the Pediatric Physician's Organization at Children's and their utilization of telehealth in response to rising behavioral health needs

An annual report released by the HPC documenting projects and activities undertaken during the HPC's 2021 Summer Fellowship Program.

In this annual report for 2021, the HPC presents new research to enhance the collective understanding of health care spending trends and cost drivers and evaluates progress in meeting the Commonwealth’s cost containment, care delivery, and payment system goals.

This HPC Short evaluates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department visits and whether the decrease in visits was due to avoiding needed care, patients finding care elsewhere, or patients needing less care.