Hingham State Rep. Announces Bill to Curb Health Care Costs

State Rep. Garrett Bradley, (D-Hingham), announced last week that the House of Representatives will consider a comprehensive plan aimed at curbing health care costs and empowering consumers.

The bill, released by the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, comes six years after Massachusetts passed the nation’s first universal health care law. The bill provides a responsible way to curb health care costs by attempting to build on existing incentives and market forces.

“Health care expenses represent nearly half of the state budget, and those costs will continue to grow unless we take action to limit costs while maintaining high quality health care services,” said Rep. Bradley.  “By offering more information to health care consumers, we will be empowering residents to make health care decisions that are right for them, and giving providers an incentive to practice the best possible care at a reasonable price.”

The bill empowers consumers by giving them information they need to make informed decisions about health care. For the first time, patients will have online access to detailed comparative price and quality information, categorized by medical procedure, provider and payer. Likewise, it gives providers the cost and quality of health care services and patient-specific data to aid doctors in treating patients.

In preparing the bill, Rep. Steven Walsh (D-Lynn), House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, visited 54 hospitals, held 800 meetings with physicians, patients and others, and held high-level discussions with a dozen of the world’s most-renowned academic experts on the subject.

The bill comes as health care spending takes up a larger and larger percentage of the state’s budget; Premiums for a family average over $15,000 annually and each year health care costs comprise a greater percentage of our state budget.

The bill, among other things, also:

Creates an electronic health record system to allow patients and providers readily accessible information. This will save money and improve quality.

Establishes the Health Care Workforce Trust Fund to better prepare workers for the health care jobs of the future.

Puts a premium on prevention and wellness (businesses are eligible for a $10K tax credit by establishing a wellness program).

Simplifies payer coverage and claims information.

Allows for providers to make use of an ‘apology’ provision to reduce litigation and cut costs.

Streamlines health care governance bringing all state agencies under the Division of Health Care Cost and Quality;Sets a predictable goal for health care cost growth, Gross State Product -0.5% in three years.

Facilitates the use of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and Patient-Centered Medical Homes to improve treatment.

The bill now moves to the House Committee on Ways & Means.

-Office of Garrett Bradley