improve health care cost accountability

In Massachusetts, go to the state legislature’s website and look for legislation listed under one of the Joint Committees like Public Health, Health Care Financing, Children and Families, Elder Affairs. Mental Health and Substance Use.  The Mass. Legislature’s website is at  Click on bill. On search type healthcare and choose H1164 by Honan Kevin G ( An act to improve health care cost accountability.

 

 

Introduce yourself!

Include your full name, and the name of the organization you are representing. Assuming you are testifying on a health care issue, say you are an RN, or a student nurse, a health administration student, and/or state what you do professionally, if applicable. You may have some other expertise worth sharing personal or professional. – if you are the parent of a disabled child testifying on disability legislation, say so.

What does the legislation do, what is your opinion and why, and what are you recommending legislators do?

At the beginning of your testimony, state clearly what the legislation does and your position on it. Are you there to speak for it, or against it, or recommend some changes? Do not assume the committee members are familiar with the legislation, so a brief explanation of what the legislation does is needed.

What is the rationale for your position? For example, why the legislation is needed, or not needed, or why it should be changed and how? In this section, you should provide supporting information for your position, including evidence, statistics, and make other cogent arguments. This should not be just about your opinion or your emotional reaction to a policy issue. You need to back up your position with facts and supporting evidence. What are its implications for improving health care? Use APA citations and references. Watch the sources you are citing – use credible sources!

Make recommendations to legislators on how you want legislators to act in relation to the legislation – oppose or support it; make changes in it, or proceed with caution because of certain concerns with it that you have raised with them