Mass. health care system 'falling apart,' key senator says

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

57% : Friedman's counterpart in the House, Rep. John Lawn, similarly said Massachusetts is "at a pivotal moment in health care," especially as fears swirl about the Trump administration cutting federal funding for Medicaid or other programs.
53% : Policymakers and health care industry leaders gathered for an annual hearing about the so-called benchmark state government sets as a goal for reasonable health care spending growth, where they unpacked new data that showed health care expenses surged at a near-record rate in 2023. Kicking off the event, Sen. Cindy Friedman did not mince words.
53% : " The Center for Health Information and Analysis reported Wednesday that health care spending in Massachusetts grew at an 8.6% rate from 2022 to 2023, more than twice the 3.6% benchmark and the second-highest annual increase since state watchdogs began tracking the data a decade ago. CHIA researchers dubbed the 2023 growth rate "unsustainable," and said the major drivers were increased pharmacy spending and new MassHealth supplemental payments to hospitals.
46% : The Legislature and Gov. Maura Healey late last year enacted a pair of new laws, one aimed at reining in prescription drug costs and the other designed to boost hospital financial oversight.
46% : Alex Sheff, senior policy and government relations director at Health Care for All, said keeping spending growth close to the benchmark "has to start with reining in prescription drug costs." "Without cost constraints on providers in the pharmaceutical industry, health plans cannot make health care more affordable for your constituents," added Lora Pellegrini, president of the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans group that represents insurers.
38% : We may reasonably expect that Massachusetts will see a reduction in funding for critical health care services, a blow to our residents and our economy," Lawn, a Watertown Democrat, said at the hearing.

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