Alison Kunitz | State House News Service | March 24, 2026
Another new group is forming to tackle rising health care costs.
The former chief of the state health information agency is helming a new organization that’s bringing together insurers and hospitals to focus on affordability, echoing an effort underway in the Healey administration.
The Massachusetts Payer-Provider Partnership (MP3) is led by Lauren Peters, the prior executive director of the Center for Health Information and Analysis. Peters left the agency in January, a spokesperson for MP3 said. A CHIA press release this month identified Andrew Jackmauh as acting executive director.
MP3 is affiliated with the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association but will function as an “autonomous entity.” MP3 members will explore solutions to tamp down on health care costs and improve patient access, including streamlining administrative processes and promoting “innovative” care delivery and payment models. Members will test out those ideas within their organizations, with the aim of scaling up initiatives statewide.
The partnership is intended to support the work of Gov. Maura Healey’s Health Care Affordability Work Group, which by June is expected to produce recommendations on slashing health care system costs. The Division of Insurance is also finalizing prior authorization reforms that will eliminate administrative burdens.
Health Policy Commission Executive Director David Seltz said MP3 is a “welcome new effort that will help advance our shared goal of a healthcare system that is more affordable, accessible, and equitable for all commonwealth residents.” The HPC monitors cost trends and makes policy recommendations.
The partnership’s inaugural members include Baystate Health, Boston Medical Center Health System, Fallon Health, Health New England, Mass General Brigham, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, UMass Memorial Health, UMass Memorial Health Mass Advantage and WellSense Health Plan.
Baystate Health CEO Peter Banko called MP3 a “bold effort to integrate two of the largest components of our healthcare system, accelerate meaningful change and ignite innovation.”
“There is an inherent tension – too often, not healthy – between health plans and providers,” said Banko, board chair of Health New England and an MP3 board member. “We believe this pioneering new organization will enable us to break down unnecessary barriers and create a new frontier for Massachusetts healthcare.”