In each edition, Manatt will feature “deep dive” topics that share new cross-cutting benchmarking program developments as states seek to evolve and advance their cost growth benchmarking programs to meet new regulatory and landscape needs. In this issue, Manatt examines recent program changes in the following areas:

- Accountability: As payers and providers exceed set health care cost growth targets, there is a growing interest in how to hold outliers accountable. Massachusetts and Oregon are pursuing varying approaches to advancing accountability.

- Consumer Affordability: Beyond addressing aggregate spending, states are focusing on how consumers bear the burden of rising health care costs. Massachusetts and Connecticut are leveraging important tools to better understand how rising health care costs impact consumers.