Massachusetts Health Policy Commission

The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) is an independent state agency working in the public interest to improve the affordability of health care for all residents of the Commonwealth.

The HPC:

--Creates meaningful accountability for moderating health care spending growth by setting the annual health care cost growth benchmark and assessing the performance of the health care system to meet this measurable goal.

--Oversees the changing Massachusetts health care provider market to identify and respond to market failures, and to provide independent analysis of the impact of health care market changes on cost, quality, access, and equity to the public and other key health regulators.

--Issues data-informed, actionable policy recommendations necessary to reduce health care cost growth, promote affordability, and advance equity and to guide the future of health care reform in Massachusetts and the U.S.

--Produces reliable, objective research and reporting to the public, the health care market, and to policymakers on health care issues that touch all residents of the Commonwealth, including trends in health care costs, consumer affordability, health care workforce, and health disparities.

--Provides transparency on the structure and functioning of Massachusetts health care providers by collecting and disseminating key information through provider organization registration and certification processes.

--Ensures patient access to needed health care by safeguarding the rights of health insurance consumers and patients regarding coverage and care decisions by health plans and certain provider organizations

--Invests in innovative care models that engage hospitals, community-based organizations, and community members in delivering high-quality health care that is affordable, accessible, and equitable.