Massachusetts continues to be at the national forefront of health care reform. Since becoming the first state in the nation to expand access aimed at universal health care coverage through Chapter 58 of the Acts of 2006, Massachusetts has continued to address legislative and regulatory challenges in the health care industry. The current legislative session’s policy focus has been health care payment reform, and the Massachusetts Senate, House of Representatives and governor have each proposed their own unique approach to transition the market away from fee-for-service and to contain cost growth.

The Senate Bill

On May 9, 2012, the Massachusetts Senate released Senate Bill 2260, “An Act Improving the Quality of Health Care and Reducing Costs through Increased Transparency, Efficiency and Innovation.” The bill proposes to reduce state health care costs over the next 15 years by $150 billion.