Amendment #777 to H3400

Regarding Hospital Rates and Chapter 224-payment reform cost growth benchmarks

Representatives Markey of Dartmouth, Schmid of Westport, Miceli of Wilmington and Straus of Mattapoisett move to amend the bill in section 2, in item 4100-0060, by adding the following: "provided further, that the health care cost growth benchmark for the average growth in total health care expenditures in the Commonwealth for the next calendar year, established under Chapter 224, shall not be misconstrued as a benchmark nor guideline for health plans to cite nor use as guidance nor new limitation for rate improvements, in their negotiations with hospitals, health systems or physician groups, that have historically been paid at or below the median."