Governor Deval Patrick is expected to announce tomorrow that he is launching a major effort to tackle healthcare problems - including soaring costs and the elusive goal of quality - through a coordinated approach across state government.
The state "compact" on health will bring together agencies overseeing prisons, law enforcement, finance and insurance with healthcare behemoths insuring millions of state residents and workers, according to three individuals who have been briefed on the plans but requested anonymity because they were asked to keep the information confidential until tomorrow.
The administration declined to comment in advance of the announcement.
The goals include slowing the growth of spending, eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in medical care, improving disease management, promoting healthy behavior, and expanding access.
The tactics will include looking into such perennial proposals as bulk purchasing of medicines, expanding and coordinating efforts already underway to pay for improved performance, and promoting wellness campaigns at businesses and schools.
Several agencies are separately tackling these difficult healthcare issues, including the state Medicaid program, which insures low-income and disabled residents; the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector, which is overseeing the new insurance initiative; and the Group Insurance Commission, which manages insurance for state workers. But in many ways each agency has gone in its own direction.
The new effort will also involve the attorney general, the department of correction, the division of insurance, the Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and the Executive Office for Administration & Finance, sources said.
State agencies have already met at least twice to discuss joint plans. Dr. JudyAnn Bigby, secretary of Health and Human Services, briefed about 30 people yesterday, including hospital officials, insurance executives, advocates and health policy specialists.
Alice Dembner can be reached at dembner@globe.com.
