SECTION 1.  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the secretary of health and human services, in consultation with the health care quality and cost council, shall hereby establish an independent entity, known as the Massachusetts Comparative Cost Effectiveness Institute.  Said independent entity shall examine, research and issue guidelines on the comparative effectiveness of medical procedures, drugs, devices, and biologics, so that research results can be used as a basis for health care purchasing and payment decisions that limit cost, create efficiencies and eliminate clinical waste thereby reducing inappropriate, ineffective or redundant care. 

SECTION 2.  In concert with results from study commission findings, as mandated by Section 53 of Chapter 305 of the Acts of 2008, the secretary shall consider existing state and national models, including, but not limited to, the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, the Washington State Health Care Authority’s Health Technology Assessment program, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in Britain, and the Institut für Qualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit im Gesundheitswesen in Germany regarding the development of the independent entity.

SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2009.