NORTHAMPTON — State Rep. Peter V. Kocot has taken the reins of the state’s Joint Committee on Health Care Financing at a time when a federal battle over the nation’s health care system could bring sweeping changes.
The Northampton Democrat was appointed the committee’s new co-chairman on Monday. Since the committee is a joint one, he chairs it with Sen. James T. Welch, D-Hampden.
The same day he assumed his new role, federal legislation that would have replaced the Affordable Care Act fell apart in the Senate. Still, the system is rife for overhaul as President Donald Trump vowed Tuesday to “let ObamaCare fail.”
Kocot said such a plan could equate to “billions of dollars of losses for the commonwealth.”
“We have to be ready. Clearly we’re all watching it very closely,” Kocot said Tuesday. “My goal is to make sure we’re all working together for one purpose, and that’s the people of Massachusetts have access to quality health care, regardless of what happens in Washington.”
Kocot said western Mass could also see jobs lost if ACA is repealed a la carte.
“You’re going to see major impacts to health care organizations,” Kocot said. “Out here in western Massachusetts, a lot of our largest employers are in the health care industry.”
Meantime, Kocot said the state faces its own “budget challenges” when it comes to MassHealth and Medicaid. He said he spent Tuesday reviewing Gov. Charlie Baker’s veto message, a large portion of which deals with health care financing and employer mandates.
His first order of business? “Trying to craft a reasonable MassHealth policy for the coming year.”
He said the committee is working to finalize a plan over the next 60 days.
“I started the minute after I left the caucus,” Kocot said of his work on the committee to date. “It’s a very important task. It’s a very important committee. I’m honored to be serving on it.”
Kocot said the committee will look at moving toward a more holistic approach to treatment, and toward increasing access — “especially in areas like western Massachusetts” — to primary care physicians who can prevent routine problems from becoming more difficult to treat.
“Using that holistic approach makes a lot of sense, and trying to promote that is a cost-saver,” he said.
“We want to make sure we don’t lose any of the momentum we have here in Massachusetts, being a national leader on health care.”
Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettenet.com.