Specifications include, but are not limited to: The state of Massachusetts recently passed Chapter 224 of the Acts of 2012, Improving the Quality of Health Care and Reducing Cost Growth. The Commonwealth is the first state in the nation to pass legislation to contain the growth in healthcare costs, and lessons learned will inform other states and the nation. One of the many provisions within the bill calls for a consumer health information website designed to share a variety of cost and quality data and to assist consumers in making informed decisions regarding medical care and informed choices among health care providers (MGL Ch.12C 20). The Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) will be updating and revising the content and structure of the states consumer cost and quality website per the statutes directive. The website changes provide an opportunity to examine the intersection of cost and quality and provide meaningful transparency to consumers. Data that is relevant and timely, coupled with a more user-friendly website can equip Massachusetts residents with the necessary tools to make more informed decisions. CHIA is particularly interested in addressing identified gaps in existing resources for consumers, where the revised website could fill such gaps through structure, content, and design. As a hub of independent data and analysis, CHIA envisions a portal that provides meaningful cost and quality information with direct connections to tools and resources created by consumer groups, foundations, health care delivery systems, and payers throughout the state in order to provide a more complete picture to consumers of total cost and quality.
