About the Health Policy Commission (HPC)

The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) is an independent state agency that develops policy to reduce health care cost growth and improve the quality of patient care. The HPC’s mission is to advance a more transparent, accountable, and equitable health care system through its independent policy leadership and innovative investment programs. The HPC’s goal is better health and better care – at a lower cost – for all residents across the Commonwealth.

The agency’s main responsibilities are led by HPC staff and overseen by an 11-member Board of Commissioners. HPC staff and commissioners work collaboratively to monitor and improve the performance of the health care system. Key activities include setting the health care cost growth benchmark; setting and monitoring provider and payer performance relative to the health care cost growth benchmark; creating standards for care delivery systems that are accountable to better meet patients’ medical, behavioral, and social needs; analyzing the impact of health care market transactions on cost, quality, and access; investing in community health care delivery and innovations; and safeguarding the rights of health insurance consumers and patients regarding coverage and care decisions by health plans and certain provider organizations.