The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) commends the Massachusetts legislature for enacting two bills that will strengthen transparency and oversight of our health care system, establish guardrails on private equity investments, and control health care spending. Collectively, these bills represent a significant step forward in advancing health equity, improving access to care for patients, and addressing the rising health care costs.
The Steward Health Care crisis laid bare the harmful consequences that can arise from unchecked private equity firms’ involvement in health care — when profits are prioritized over patients, leading to cost-cutting measures that endanger both patients and the health care workforce, particularly in our most underserved communities. The health care market oversight bill introduces meaningful reforms aimed at preventing such a crisis from happening again in Massachusetts.
The Commonwealth’s primary care system is in crisis and urgently requires transformative changes to prioritize and invest in access to primary care services. The MMS is therefore pleased that the legislature has taken a critical step in the health care market oversight bill by creating a new state task force to recommend improvements to primary care access, delivery of care, and financial stability.
Prescription drugs are the leading driver of health care cost growth in the Commonwealth. The pharmaceutical oversight bill promises much-needed financial relief for the many patients and families who struggle to afford essential medications. The bill’s comprehensive approach, which includes co-pay caps for drugs used to treat certain chronic illnesses, regulation of pharmacy benefit managers, and increased state oversight of the pharmaceutical industry, will improve health outcomes and provide the state with greater insights into the factors driving rising prescription drug costs.
We are grateful to the legislature, and particularly the conference committee, for their dedicated efforts in finalizing these very complex pieces of legislation. While these bills represent important progress, the Medical Society looks forward to working with state lawmakers in the upcoming session to further address the critical issues impacting both our patients and the health care system. This includes advancing legislation to tackle administrative burdens, such as prior authorization, which are contributing to physician burnout, depleting our health care workforce, and delaying patient access to care. Additionally, we are committed to protecting the clinical autonomy of physicians and health care providers.
It is imperative that we continue to work together to ensure that all patients have access to high-quality, equitable, and affordable health care in the Commonwealth.
-Hugh Taylor, MD, President, Massachusetts Medical Society
