Expect to hear the term 'cost-containment' for the foreseeable future. It was threaded throughout Governor Healey's proposed FY27 state budget, it is a major priority for the State Legislature, and yesterday - it was the focus of the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission's (HPC) Annual Cost Growth Benchmark Hearing. 

 

For the fourth year in a row, Massachusetts exceeded the cost growth benchmark of (set at 3.6% year over year growth) for health care expenditures. Overall health care expenditures grew 5.7 percent in 2024 and totaled $83.3 billion ($11,663 per person). The state has not met the benchmark since 2017.

 

Family health insurance premiums have grown 31 percent since 2019 and the top household expense that the public worries about. 

 

Although there are many reasons for this growth, most out of our control, it is critical that we position the home and community-based care setting as a critical piece to slowing this growth.