RomneyCare to mandate fixed budgets for health services

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Upcoming March program for Massachusetts health care to discuss imminent state legal measures to mandate fixed health procedure costs:

"Global Payments: The Next Chapter in Health Care Reform?

March 10, 2011...

"Moderated by Charlie Baker, former President and CEO, Harvard Pilgrim and 2010 Gubernatorial candidate.

• Thursday, March 10, 2011
• 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., Reception from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
  

• Panelists:

Ellen Zane, President and CEO, Tufts Medical Center;

Secretary Judy Ann Bigby, Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services;

Andrew Dreyfus, President and CEO Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts;

Representative Ron Mariano, House Majority Leader

Having led the nation on health care reform, Massachusetts continues to break policy ground with the imminent filing of legislation regarding global payments – a system that

• mandates fixed budgets for procedures and patient care
  

as opposed to the current fee-for-service reimbursement method. Proponents see this as a way

• to reign in costs
  

while delivering more comprehensive, patient-centered care; skeptics worry it will

• significantly reduce patient choice.

Whatever the viewpoint, one thing is for certain:

• the health care industry in Massachusetts will never be the same.
  

CommonWealth magazine will host the policy discussion that examines the real implications of global payments on consumers and the industry and asks the question: With so much at stake, can everyone win?"

via Free Republic