Live now: Watch the Primary Care Task Force meeting! Members will discuss payment models to increase public and private reimbursement for primary care services, and health plan design impact on primary care access and equity. 🔗https://www.youtube.com/live/XQ2PDG_XqNc?si=-QARJns-t5rm28lo

𝙉𝙚𝙬! CHIA has released results from the latest Massachusetts Health Care and Human Services Workforce Survey (MHCW). See key findings for 13 sectors and statewide in an interactive dashboard: tinyurl.com/3y9kmdeb

I thought it was love My heart felt spring-loaded Turns out our relationship Was significantly upcoded Thanks to Andrew Carleen @masshpc.bsky.social 💕 Read the rest of our favorite health policy valentines submitted by readers ⤵️

💝 Take my handkerchief Take my cough drop wrappers, too For I can’t help coming down with the flu… Vaccinate or find yourself in my predicament, too #HealthPolicyValentines

💟 Roses are red, Daisies are yellow, In a complex health care market, You make things clearer, RPO #HealthPolicyValentines Learn more about the HPC’s Registration of Provider Organizations (RPO): masshpc.gov/moat/rpo

💌 Roses are red The medicine I practice is preventive I’ll care for you No matter the financial incentive #HealthPolicyValentines

💜 I should call you my deductible, The way I spend all year yearning to reach you. #HealthPolicyValentines

💞 I’d invite you to my place, even make you some keys. But, baby, there’s just no chance you could afford my facility fees. #HealthPolicyValentines

Live now: Watch the Primary Care Task Force Workforce Workgroup meeting! www.youtube.com/live/xLu0GbY... #PrimaryCare

📊Explore the latest issue of the HPC DataPoints series, “Evidence of Administrative Complexity: Health Insurance Claim Denials in Massachusetts.” 🔗: masshpc.gov/publications... #HealthPolicy

📢Live now: Watch the HPC Board meeting! www.youtube.com/live/O5BeNqu...

Yesterday, Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) Executive Director David Seltz joined state health policy leaders at the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association Annual Conference. Thank you to @mahealthhosp.bsky.social for convening these important conversations!

📢Live now: Tune in to the first Primary Care Task Force meeting of 2026! 🔗Watch live: www.youtube.com/live/_z0B3F_... #PrimaryCare

On Friday, HPC Executive Director David Seltz toured the new Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center facility and met with the team protecting health care access in Worcester. Thank you to the center for your leadership in advancing equitable, accessible care for all MA residents.

We mourn the loss of Stuart H. Altman, Ph.D., a leader in health policy and economics and the inaugural chair of the HPC. “Dr. Altman dedicated his life to a health care system that is affordable and accessible for all,” said HPC Executive Director David Seltz.

Apply today for the Health Policy Commission’s (HPC) 2026 Summer Fellowship program! 📆 Deadline: January 20th 🔗 Apply: massachusettshealthpolicycommission.applytojob.com/apply/dLMSLR... 📖 Read the 2025 Fellowship Report to learn more: masshpc.gov/publications...

Apply today for the Health Policy Commission’s (HPC) 2026 Summer Fellowship program! 📆 Deadline: January 20th 🔗 Apply: massachusettshealthpolicycommission.applytojob.com/apply/dLMSLR... 📖 Read the 2025 Fellowship Report to learn more: masshpc.gov/publications...

📊Explore the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission’s (HPC) latest interactive DataPoints issue, Examining the True Costs of Care: Patient Cost Sharing in Massachusetts. ➡️Read more: masshpc.gov/publications... #HealthPolicy

The Massachusetts Primary Care Task Force calls for a primary care spending target. This bold action will address systemic underinvestment in primary care and prioritize resident health and health system stability. 🔗Read more: masshpc.gov/sites/defaul... #PrimaryCare

📢The 2025 Health Care Cost Trends Report calls for recommitment to the health care cost growth benchmark and urgent action to tame growth. 📖Read the report: masshpc.gov/publications... 📊Explore an interactive out-of-pocket spending data overview: masshpc.gov/publications...

Live now: Tune in to the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) Board meeting! Commissioners will reflect on the Health Care Cost Trends Hearing, review recent health policy action, and issue the 2025 Health Care Cost Trends Report. Watch: www.youtube.com/live/jckgdR0...

Massachusetts maintains a high rate of health insurance coverage at 97.9%—but health care affordability issues for residents remain. See results of the Massachusetts Health Insurance Survey (MHIS). See: tinyurl.com/bdeh3z7d #MassCHIA #HealthData #HealthPolicy #Massachusetts

The HPC hosted the 13th annual Health Care Cost Trends Hearing on 11/12. Read the summary and find links to the materials here: masshpc.gov/news/press-r...

➡️Live now: Watch the Maternal Health Access and Birthing Patient Safety Task Force, co-chaired by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. 🔗Watch live: www.youtube.com/live/6Tx8p3q... #MaternalHealth #HealthPolicy #HealthEquity

📢Live now: Tune in to the Primary Care Access, Delivery, and Payment Task Force meeting! www.youtube.com/live/Q5F0BUe...

Watch live today: Primary Care Task Force workgroup meetings! ➡️10:30 AM – 12:00 PM ET, Workforce Workgroup Meeting: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLYM... ➡️2:30 – 4:00 PM ET, Data and Research Workgroup Meeting: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzn3... #PrimaryCare #HealthPolicy

Thank you for joining the HPC for the 2025 Health Care Cost Trends Hearing! #CTH25 Find upcoming HPC public meetings online: masshpc.gov/meetings

The hearing now turns to public testimony. #CTH25

Chair Devaux summarizes key themes of the panel including the need for collective efforts to maintain coverage, importance of health planning & HPC's new Office of Health Resource Planning, the need for using data to improve care/lower costs, administrative simplification, & the future of AI #CTH25

Chair Devaux: What strategies can we pursue to address affordability and access challenges? Reduce coverage losses from OB3, maximize federal resources, strengthen benchmark, payment redesign, health planning, reduce admin complexity, support CHCs, invest in primary care. #CTH25

The final panel of the day, “Moving Forward Together: How CEOs are Maintaining a Focus on Affordability in a Time of Uncertainty,” brings together leaders to discuss how organizations are strategically responding in the current, uncertain environment. #CTH25

Commissioner Leibman closes out the panel with a forward-looking question: What do we need to be ready for next? Panelists highlight cell and gene therapy – another area where the payment system needs to evolve to meet the science. #CTH25

Commissioner Kurpad asks panelists to reflect on experience with GLP-1s: how should we think about affordability, transparency, and pricing for new drugs in the pipeline? #CTH25

Panel 4: “Navigating Pharmaceutical Market Trends: Balancing Innovation and Sustainability” focuses on the evolving dynamics in the pharmaceutical market, spending trends, and organizational work to improve health care affordability, access, and equity. #CTH25

Panelists highlight many benefits of Hospital at Home care: better patient and family experience, fewer readmissions or discharges to post-acute settings, lower costs, support for social determinants of health. #CTH25

HPC Executive Director David Seltz now presents, “Health Care Cost Trends in Massachusetts and the Imperative to Advance Affordability.” #CTH25

Read the HPC’s policy brief, “Hospital at Home in Massachusetts: Trends in an Emerging Clinical Model” #CTH25 masshpc.gov/publications...

Watch the HPC’s short video, “Hospital at Home in Massachusetts”: youtu.be/3IIcc7yEB1c?...

In the next panel, “Innovation Insights: Transforming Care through Hospital at Home Programs,” leaders from innovative Massachusetts hospital at home programs will discuss the promise of new models of care delivery in the Commonwealth. #CTH25

Commissioner Leibman asks where Massachusetts has been successful. Amy Rosenthal points to MA leadership, collaboration across sectors to identify solutions, and the ability to keep the focus on the patient. #CTH25

Commissioner Willmuth asks about OB3’s impact on the healthcare workforce. Panelists cite major challenges, including workforce shortages and loss of diversity at CHCs and in LTSS. MA is taking action — from apprenticeships and loan repayment programs — but there is still more to do. #CTH25

Commissioner Cohen opens the panel with a key question: how can we minimize the impact of new federal legislation? MassHealth is working to limit coverage losses from new work requirements, while the Connector is focused on outreach and support to affected individuals. #CTH25

Up next at #CTH25: “Leading the Way: State Strategies to Promote Affordability, Access, and Equity.” Leaders from state agencies, hospitals, CHCs & advocates discuss how federal policy shifts affect access, coverage & equity, and how Massachusetts is responding.

Commissioner Caljouw asks how to protect patients from the impacts of recent federal legislation. Audrey Shelto recommends broad solutions to the delivery system, not tweaks to any one sector, while keeping patients at the core. #CTH25

Audrey Shelto, President and CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation now presents, “State and Federal Policy Landscape: Impacts on Health Care in Massachusetts.” Explore the slides online: masshpc.gov/sites/defaul... #CTH25

The first panel, “A Call to Action: Community and Clinician Voices on Threats to Access, Affordability, and Equity” provides perspectives on the impact that growing health care costs, access challenges, and persistent inequities in care and outcomes have on residents. #CTH25

Commissioner McGregor asks @massago.bsky.social Andrea Campbell about key resident concerns. @massago.bsky.social points to top priorities: affordability, quality of care, patient experience, access, and closing racial disparities — all areas her team is actively tackling. #CTH25

Attorney General Andrea Campbell now shares opening remarks for the 2025 Health Care Cost Trends Hearing, “Working Together to Safeguard the Commonwealth’s Commitment to Health Care Affordability, Access, and Equity.” #CTH25

📢 LIVE NOW: The 2025 Health Care Cost Trends Hearing! Join the conversation on making the Commonwealth’s health care system more affordable, accessible, and equitable for all residents. 🔗 Watch live: masshpc.gov/meetings/ann... #HealthPolicy #CTH25

Join us tomorrow for the 2025 Annual Health Care Cost Trends Hearing: Working Together to Safeguard the Commonwealth’s Commitment to Health Care Affordability, Access, and Equity Watch the livestream & learn more: masshpc.gov/meetings/ann...