Budget Amendment ID: FY2018-S3-365

EHS 365

MassHealth Cost Containment Council

Messrs. Tarr, Ross and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting, after Section__, the following new section:-

Section__.  MassHealth Cost Containment Council

Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be established, for a period of not more than 12 months following the passage of this act, the MassHealth Cost Containment Council, the purpose of which shall be to examine the current system of providing health care insurance coverage and benefits to those qualify for such converages and benefits pursuant to existing state and federal statutes and regulations due to income or other circumstance through Medicaid and other similar programs.

The council shall be chaired by the secretary of health and human services or a designee, and shall consist of 18 members: the House and Senate chairs and the ranking minority members of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing or their designees, the secretary of administration and finance or a designee, a representative of the Health Policy Commission appointed by the governor, a representative of the Center for Health Information Analysis appointed by the governor, the dean of the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine or a designee, the assistant secretary of the MassHealth program, an expert in state and federal health care law appointed by the Attorney General, a representative of MassHealth consumers appointed by the Speak of the House, a representative of MassHealth consumers appointed by the Senate President, 3 members representing health care providers in the Commonwealth appointed by the governor, a representative of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute appointed by the Attorney General, and 3 members with expertise in health care financing from institutions of higher learning in the Commonwealth appointed by the Governor.

The commission shall examine the current system in the Commonwealth of providing for health care coverage and benefits for low income residents and analyze its cost-effectiveness and efficiency in delivering quality care and outcomes, and seek to identify any and all strategies, methods and techniques to reduce and contain the costs of such coverage and benefits consistent with federal law; provided, however, that the commission shall consider waivers from the provisions of federal law and regulation where appropriate.

In conducting its operations the Commission shall hold not less than 3 public hearings in diverse geographic locations across the Commonwealth, and shall also accept testimony by electronic and posted mail.

The commission shall report its findings, together with any legislative recommendations, not later than August 31, 2017, to the clerks of the House and the Senate, and in an appropriate manner electronically on the internet.