DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES TO EXPLORE SOLUTIONS RELATED TO THE STATE’S HIGH HEALTH CARE COSTS.
What changed between versions
The document changed from a Senate Amendment to the final Joint Resolution text, with a new title directing DHSS to explore solutions related to high health care costs.
The report scope narrowed from 'all sectors of the health care system, including insurance, long-term care, pharmacy, and hospitals' to a more focused set of specific payment model and coverage strategy questions.
Sponsors expanded from Sen. Seigfried alone to include Sen. Pinkney, Sen. Townsend, Rep. Chukwuocha, Rep. Griffith, and Rep. Snyder-Hall, indicating broader bipartisan or multi-member support.
The report must now specifically consider updating the Medicaid outlier payment methodology (last updated in 2009) and ways to ensure further cost savings for the 2027 benefit year.
The report must consider the feasibility of statewide adoption of global budget or two-sided risk models, including participation in the CMMI AHEAD model for multi-payer alignment on hospital global budgets.
The report must evaluate options for a public option or other publicly sponsored coverage strategy, with authority to consult the Department of Insurance, Department of Human Resources, and State Employees' Benefits Committee.
The requirement that the report assess how cost-containment and coverage strategies may affect health equity for low-income individuals, rural communities, communities of color, and historically underserved populations was removed.
The requirement to evaluate strategies to prevent and manage chronic disease, reduce prescription drug spending, and improve health outcomes was removed from the operative provisions.
Report distribution is now specified: House Health and Human Development Committee, Senate Health and Social Services Committee, Chief Clerk of the House, Secretary of the Senate, and Director and Librarian of the Division of Legislative Services.
