The Connecticut Office of Health Strategy (OHS) has released proposed benchmarks for the next five years of its Healthcare Benchmark Initiative, aimed at curbing rising healthcare costs and improving care quality. The plan sets a 2.8% annual healthcare cost growth target from 2026 through 2030—aligned with projected median household income growth.

“Restraining healthcare spending growth to the rate of median household income growth would be a substantive step towards affordability,” said Deidre Gifford, MD, MPH, commissioner. “Connecticut residents already face a crisis in healthcare affordability, and we must continue to have meaningful healthcare cost and utilization discussions to achieve real savings for consumers and employers. This benchmark sets a target for payers, providers, stakeholders and policy makers to meet in working towards that goal.”

In 2023, healthcare cost growth reached 7.9%, well above the benchmark of 2.9%, with hospital outpatient and pharmacy costs as key drivers. New legislation, including Senate Bill 10, gives regulators the authority to limit insurer rate increases if cost growth targets are repeatedly exceeded.

The report also emphasizes strengthening primary care. OHS and its technical team recommend that 10% of total healthcare spending be directed to primary care annually from 2026 to 2030. However, primary care spending fell to just 4.5% in 2023, down from 4.8% in prior years.

OHS also proposed quality benchmarks focusing on chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, obesity, and mental health. A public hearing will be held on June 23, 2025 and public comment is invited before final recommendations are issued on July 1, learn more at https://portal.ct.gov/ohs/press-room/press-releases/2025-press-releases/notice-for-public-comment-hcbi-proposed-2026-2030-benchmarks