CHA Calls for Transparent, Validated Data Process and Recognition of Healthcare Cost Drivers to Improve Healthcare Affordability
WALLINGFORD – The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) released the following statement regarding today’s Healthcare Benchmark Initiative Steering Committee meeting that included discussion of the state’s 2022 cost growth benchmark results released by the Office of Health Strategy (OHS):
“Connecticut’s hospitals and health systems have been supportive and active partners in the state’s benchmarking process since it began. Today’s Healthcare Benchmark Initiative Steering Committee meeting reinforces the need for improvements in the process if it is going to offer the value that was promised when it was created in 2020. We need to adopt a transparent and validated data process so we can assess opportunities for improvement in care delivery, focus on the impact that Medicaid underpayment is having on commercial healthcare spending, and understand the drivers of increased cost, like historic inflation. We are encouraged by today’s announcement that spending was near the benchmark target for 2022, but much more needs to be done to improve the benchmarking process if we are going to achieve sustained results.”