Affordable, Innovative Care

PioneerHealth explores market-based reforms to rein in the cost and improve the quality of care in Massachusetts. Our healthcare research is focused on state and federal health care reform, Medicaid, and cost containment.

LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY TRACKER

With so many deaths occurring at long-term care facilities, in Massachusetts and other states, Pioneer has added a new COVID-19 tracker, with data from the state’s weekly Public Health Report. This data includes any nursing home, rehabilitation center or other long-term care facility with 2+ known COVID-19 cases and facility-reported deaths. This tracker includes the number of licensed beds, ranges of case numbers, deaths, and deaths per bed for 320 facilities.  Pioneer will update the tracker weekly.

PIONEER HEALTH POLICY AREAS

PRICE TRANSPARENCY

Study Calls for Better Reporting on Impact of COVID-19 in Eldercare Facilities

Over time, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services and Department of Public Health (DPH) have improved reporting about cases and deaths from COVID-19 in state-regulated eldercare facilities, but flaws and omissions remain and should be corrected, according to a new study published by Pioneer Institute.
HEALTHCARE REFORM

Study: Massachusetts Should Retain Additional Healthcare System Flexibility Granted During Pandemic

Massachusetts’ emergency declaration for COVID-19 ends on June 15, and with it some enhanced flexibility that has been allowed in the healthcare system.  Some of the added flexibility highlighted barriers that make the system more expensive, harder to access and less patient-centered, and the Commonwealth should consider permanently removing these barriers, according to a new study published by Pioneer Institute.
LIFE SCIENCES

New Analysis: ICER Framework Ignores Patient Preferences, Innovation & Societal Benefits in Evaluating Cost-Effectiveness of New Cancer Treatments

Pioneer Institute today released a new analysis, The QALY and Cancer Treatments: An Ill-Advised Match, that examines the alarming methodological and contextual shortcomings of the Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALY)-based methodology in evaluating new cancer therapies. The Pioneer Institute analysis reveals five specific problems with ICER’s evaluation of cancer treatments and demonstrates the urgent need to prohibit the use of the QALY amid trends in rapid cancer innovations and personalized medicine.
COVID-19 IMPACT AND RESPONSE
EXPANDING HEALTHCARE ACCESS

Study: Massachusetts Should Retain Additional Healthcare System Flexibility Granted During Pandemic

Massachusetts’ emergency declaration for COVID-19 ends on June 15, and with it some enhanced flexibility that has been allowed in the healthcare system.  Some of the added flexibility highlighted barriers that make the system more expensive, harder to access and less patient-centered, and the Commonwealth should consider permanently removing these barriers, according to a new study published by Pioneer Institute.

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Read More of Our Commentary:

A Rush to Judgment on Alzheimer’s Drug

May 17, 2021/by William Smith

ICER Proves Its Lack of Business Acumen, Again

February 3, 2021/by William Smith

Combatting COVID-19: Life in the MGH Emergency Room

June 16, 2020/by Editorial Staff

In The Era Of COVID-19, Mass. Needs To Get Long-Term Care Right

May 20, 2020/by Barbara Anthony

Baker needs to expand telehealth further

March 25, 2020/by Joshua Archambault

Report: Rare Disease Patients Hurt by “One-Size-Fits-All” ICER Framework

June 26, 2019/by Editorial Staff

Putting a Price on Life: The Coming Fight Over Government Rationing of Medical Care

June 12, 2019/by Editorial Staff

Here’s why Sarah Palin’s ‘death panels’ are now being debated in Massachusetts

April 25, 2019/by Editorial Staff
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VIEW ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Hewitt Healthcare Lecture

In 2006, Pioneer Institute launched an effort to endow a healthcare research and lecture program in memory of its former chairman, “Colby” Hewitt. To donate to the Hewitt Endowment, click here.

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Past Hewitt Lecture Series Events

U-Turn: America’s Return to State Healthcare Solutions

With Congress and the Trump Administration poised to repeal the Affordable Care Act, many observers are asking what the replacement plan looks like.  A new book, U-Turn: America’s Return to State Healthcare Solutions, proposes that the states take the lead in healthcare reform, as Massachusetts did in 2006, and that Washington facilitate the transition, rather than try to dictate every move.

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