A controversial healthcare ballot question in Massachusetts has industry stakeholders digging in their respective heels on either side of the debate to ensure their business interests are protected, reports Boston Business Journal.
The ballot aims to reduce medical price disparity by creating a floor and ceiling for what hospitals could charge for healthcare services. Essentially, this would require some of the most expensive health systems in the state to lower their prices, such as Boston-based Partners HealthCare, and require smaller community hospitals to raise their prices.
Players in the insurance industry have largely supported the ballot measure. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, Associated Industries of Massachusetts and the Small Business Service Bureau, among others, wrote a letter to state lawmakers Tuesday in support of using legislative action to curb hospital price disparities.
Meanwhile, Partners HealthCare has been in talks with legislators to arrive at alternative solutions to the ballot. Partners officials, Gov. Charlie Baker, house speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop), senate President Stanley Rosenberg (D-Hampshire-Franklin), and members of 1199 SEIU met in discussions Monday. Healthcare advocacy union 1199 SEIU is responsible for the ballot.
A study released this year by the Center for Health Information and Analysis found all eight hospitals owned and operated by Partners are more expensive than the average care provider in Massachusetts.