BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey has officially appointed Steve Walsh, a native of West Lynn, to the Health Policy Commission (HPC), a regulatory body designed to control health care costs and oversee crucial decisions within Massachusetts’ health care system.
Walsh has served as the president of the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association (MHA) since 2017 and is a former state representative. He expressed his gratitude and optimism as he begins his new role.
“I am deeply grateful that the governor has asked me to serve on the Health Policy Commission, whose foundation and overall mission I had the privilege of helping create more than a decade ago,” Walsh stated.
He acknowledged the profound challenges currently faced by Massachusetts patients and providers and recognized the state’s commitment to collaborative problem-solving and innovative public policy.
Walsh highlighted the importance of the HPC in enabling progress in the healthcare system, stating, “That is exactly the type of progress the Health Policy Commission makes possible, and I look forward to helping shape a stronger healthcare system along with my fellow commissioners.”
Walsh’s appointment coincides with rising concerns about access, affordability, and quality within the state’s healthcare landscape. However, it has also provoked criticism from various advocacy groups and watchdogs, who argue that his dual role presents a conflict of interest.
In the days leading up to the announcement, speculation swirled around his potential conflicts. Critics point out that Walsh leads a powerful hospital lobbying group while now overseeing regulatory functions that impact hospitals.
“Steve Walsh’s appointment is a blatant conflict of interest and problematic to the employer community,” said Eileen McAnneny, president of the Employer Coalition on Health.
She urged the governor to reconsider Walsh’s appointment in light of these ethical concerns.
In response to the criticisms, Walsh has taken steps to comply with ethics rules, filing a formal disclosure under Section 23(b)(3). This disclosure outlines that MHA members, which include hospitals and provider organizations, pay dues to support his advocacy efforts.
To further address conflict concerns, Walsh stated he would be “internally walled off” from MHA business that could come before the HPC. Furthermore, he will recuse himself from any commission votes related to performance improvement plans, hospital expansions, and transactions linked to MHA members.
“Hopefully, the disclosure that I filed will alleviate some of those concerns,” Walsh said in an interview.
He emphasized the opportunity to shape a more affordable and accessible healthcare system.
Walsh has a long history in Massachusetts politics, having served six terms in the House of Representatives. He co-chaired the Health Care Financing Committee and was instrumental in shaping the landmark 2012 cost-containment law that led to the creation of the HPC.
His return to this role, more than a decade later, marks a significant moment in his career.
“At this point in my career, to return to try to perfect it in some way … is really exciting,” Walsh remarked.
The office of Governor Healey has defended the appointment, pointing to the 2024 law that restructuring the HPC which mandates that at least one commissioner possess direct experience representing hospitals.
“Steve Walsh is uniquely qualified to bring that expertise to the work of the HPC with his deep understanding of the current challenges facing hospitals, his work with 70 community hospitals across the state, and his experience as a legislator and policymaker,” stated Healey spokesperson Karissa Hand.
Walsh is accompanied on the commission by five other appointees: Chair Deborah Devaux (reappointed), Jamie Willmuth, senior policy analyst at 1199 SEIU, Sandra Cotterell, former CEO of Codman Square Health Center, Christopher Leibman from Biogen, and Umesh Kurpad, former CFO of Point32Health.
He stressed that most of the commission’s work focuses on long-term system design rather than transactional matters such as hospital mergers or cost hearings.
“The Health Policy Commission was created to really change the way our system delivers care, so that it works better for patients and for consumers,” Walsh expressed.
As the newly structured board begins its work, Walsh is prepared to contribute in meaningful ways.
“This is a moment to be bold,” he stated.
He concluded with a call for progress, expressing hope for a healthcare system that serves the people of Massachusetts better.
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