Research


Scope and Content Note

This series is the central file of correspondence, background materials, and report drafts maintained by the Committee in carrying out its investigation and producing its final report.

The records reflect issues related to hospital costs studied by the Committee, such as: hospital operating costs; patient charges; scope of insurance coverage; unnecessary medical procedures or hospitalization; duplication of services; alternatives to hospitalization; responsibilities of regulatory agencies; and existing statutes and new legislation.

The series contains: 1) correspondence with physicians; hospital administrators; medical insurance benefits providers; local, state, and federal government officials; and other interested individuals and organizations, commenting on reasons for rate increases and ways to moderate the increases; 2) correspondence among Committee consultants and staff regarding suggestions for and preparation of findings and recommendations; suggested readings; and meeting dates; 3) hospital cost reports, studies, statistics, fact sheets, and other data; 4) minutes, agendas, notes, correspondence, and other materials from Committee meetings and Committee seminars held with physicians and hospital administrators; 5) draft findings and recommendations on various issues, such as: hospital reporting; pre-admission testing; hospital joint purchasing; duplication of services; home care; consolidation of Blue Cross plans; improvement of hospital internal management; and reallocation of responsibility among state agencies; 6) report notes and drafts; 7) press releases, newsletters, articles, and clippings concerning the Committee or the issues under investigation; and 8) legislative bills and bill proposals.