and modernizes the state’s Standard Quality Measure Set to improve provider reporting on patient care. Increasing financial transparency & addressing the rising cost of health care To address the rising cost of health care in Massachusetts, Chapter 343 reforms the HPC and expands the HPC cost trends examination while also raising expectations on providers to meet the Commonwealth’s cost containment goals. Provisions to combat the rising costs of health care include: • Reconstituting the membership requirements for the HPC to include more current, relevant experience and insight into the trajectory of the healthcare market • Broadening the scope of HPC’s annual cost trends hearings and report to capture signifi cant equity investors, health care REITs, MSOs, pharmaceutical manufacturing companies and pharmacy benefi t managers (PBMs), MassHealth, the Division of Insurance (DOI) and the Health Connector, and to request testimony from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services • Expanding the HPC cost trends examination to include the new data collected by CHIA through the RPO process, and require submissions from significant equity investors, health care REITs and MSOs • Requiring that expansions in capacity, transactions involving equity investor ownership, signifi cant asset and real estate transfers, and forprofi t conversions be added to the material change notice process • Requiring the submission of information, including capital structure, general fi nancial condition, ownership and management structure, and audited fi nancial statements in transactions that involve a signifi cant equity investor. • Authorizing the HPC to examine the size and market share of any corporate affi liates or signifi cant equity investors of the provider or provider organization, the inventory of health care resources maintained by the DPH, and any related data or reports from the offi ce of health resource planning as part of a CMIR • Requiring that any fi nal CMIR report issued by HPC must be referred to DPH for consideration during any pending determinations of need involving the provider or provider organization This bill broadens CHIA’s duty to monitor acute hospitals’ fi - nancial conditions by requiring them to fi le margins, investments and information on any relationships with significant equity investors, health care REITs and MSOs. It also codifi es DPH regulation to pause the DON timeline for an independent cost analysis (ICA), CMIR and performance improvement plan and authorizes DPH to choose the entity conducting the ICA from a list of three entities submitted by the applicant. Stability and sustainability Chapter 343 moves state health resource planning to the HPC by establishing a new Offi ce of Health Resource Planning to produce a state health plan as a forecast of anticipated demand, production, supply and distribution of health care resources on a state-wide and regional basis. The offi ce will also conduct focused assessments of supply, distribution and capacity in relation to projected need of health care services. Chapter 343 directs DOI to consider aff ordability when reviewing rates while adhering to principles of actuarial soundness and solvency. It also creates a Primary Care Task Force to make recommendations to improve primary care access, delivery and fi nancial stability. The task force comprises 25 members and is chaired by the HPC and Executive Offi ce of Health and Human Services. The task force’s recommendations will include defi ning primary care services, creating standardized data reporting, establishing a primary care spending target for public and private health care payers, assessing impacts of health plan design on health equity and devising ways to increase the primary care workforce and improve employment conditions. The state will publish relevant data on a primary care dashboard maintained by CHIA and Massachusetts Health Quality Partners. THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2025 PARK AND FLY | FROM Page 1 Ward 1 Councillor Joanne McKenna said the site is in deplorable condition and it is located next to Sales Creek, which poses a risk to the wetlands and the conservation area. McKenna stressed that Sales Creek is important to Revere’s ecosystem and the Page 7 creek is littered with tires and other debris. Hector Prieto, a consultant for the applicant, said the property had been cleaned up in April. Piles of soil and other materials are due to ongoing engineering and stormwater management work taking place on the site. “I’m shocked this is on the agenda without being cleaned up,” said Councillorat-Large Robert Haas. McKenna was more than shocked. “I’m totally against them getting anything,” she said. “I’m saying no, and I hope the council stands behind me.” The special permit will head to the Feb. 3 Zoning Subcommittee meeting. If We Happen To Meet By Accident ... You’ll Be Glad You Found Us! BEST! Celebrating 46 Years In Business! TONY’S AUTO BODY Call or Visit 781-321-0032 34 Sharon Street Malden, MA 02148 TONYSAUTOBODYLLC.COM COME VISIT OUR STATE OF THE ART BODY SHOP • Computerized Paint Matching (State of the Art Spray Booth) • Computerized Frame Machines • R134 + 1234yf A/C Machines Fully Insured -RS2415 Insurance Company Approval ALL OUR WORK IS GUARANTEED! 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