Oral

Seven years ahead of the rest of the country, Massachusetts has mandated most residents to have medical insurance. In the wake of its individual mandate, the state has found that medical cost inflation has continued unabated and that its individual mandate must be accompanied by enhanced health care quality and cost containment policy. In 2012, it enacted Chapter 224, to improve the quality of health care and to reduce the rate of health care cost inflation. This panel will analyze how Chapter 224 is improving health care quality and reducing cost inflation and discuss lessons for other states.

Session Objectives: Describe key elements of Chapter 224 intended to improve health care quality and reduce its cost inflation. Describe policies that may improve health care quality and reduce its cost inflation that were considered but not included in the legislation producing Chapter 224.