Massachusetts Comparative Projected Health Expenditure Model

One of two studies commissioned by the Massachusetts Medical Society to analyze the impacts and outcomes of single-payer reform in Massachusetts, this report was written by The Lewin Group.

The Lewin Group’s study is a rich source of data for health care costs in the state if we continue to fund business as usual in our health system, and the great promise of single payer reform.

REPORT DOCUMENTS

• Full Report of the Lewin Group.

OTHER REPORTS ON MASSACHUSETTS SINGLE-PAYER REFORM

• Solutions for Progress/Boston University Report on single-payer reform: the second study commissioned by the Massachusetts Medical Society.
• LECG’s Report on consolidated and streamlined financing of health care in Massachusetts, commissioned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

REPORT INTRODUCTION

The Lewin Group has developed a model of health spending in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This model was designed to estimate the potential impacts of a single-payer insurance coverage program on health expenditures in that state over the 1998 through 2005 period compared to the projected impacts of the current system during the same time period. The model presents estimates of total program costs, net changes in total state health spending, changes in spending by type of service, and changes in administrative costs.

The model includes Lewin Group “best” assumptions on the impact of a single payer program on health spending in Massachusetts. The model provides outputs that show the impact of the single-payer program on health care expenditures by type of service and type of spending.