The future of the state’s health care reimbursement structure was the topic of discussion last week at a MassINC/CommonWealth magazine forum held at full capacity at Suffolk University’s Modern Theatre. Entitled “Global Payments: The Next Chapter in Health Care Reform?,” the event was moderated by Charlie Baker, former gubernatorial candidate and health insurance plan executive, and featured: Ellen Zane, President and CEO, Tufts Medical Center; Secretary JudyAnn Bigby, Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services; Andrew Dreyfus, President and CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts;
Representative Ron Mariano, House Majority Leader.

The policy discussion began with an overview of the Governor’s pending health fee reform legislation by Secretary of Health and Human Services JudyAnn Bigby, who made the case for the cost containment tactic among public payers.  The talk continued as each panelist spoke from their own area of expertise, including Blue Cross and Blue Shiled’s Andrew Dreyfus who relayed the carriers’ experience in piloting a global payment experiment in Massachusetts.  From the feasibility and fairness of the global payment method, to its impact on the industry, to its receptivity among patients, the discussion was as in-depth and informative as 90 minutes allowed, often taking on an insider tone when examined to this degree by those closest to the proposal. Click here for the Doctors’ Response by the head of the Massachusetts Medical Society.

The event was the first in a series of policy discussions to be held at the recently restored Modern Theatre, in partnership with its owner, Suffolk University, and MassINC and CommonWealth magazine.  Visit the MassINC Facebook page for more photos.