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Cost Transparency Board approves minutes, hears public comment on cost-driver analysis
Summary
The Cost Transparency Board approved its Jan. 28 minutes, heard public comment urging inflation adjustments and price-vs.-intensity analysis of a new cost-driver report, and set follow-up work for subcommittees.
The Cost Transparency Board opened its March 25 meeting, confirmed quorum and approved the Jan. 28, 2026 meeting minutes by voice vote.
During the first substantive item, a public-commenter who identified herself as Katarina LaMarche, policy director at the Washington State Hospital Association and a member of the board's stakeholder advisory committee, urged staff to factor inflation into the cost-driver analysis and to separate price changes from changes in intensity or utilization. "If you have 28% increase in CPI, a 35% increase in use, the reason for the increase in price and intensity is still uncertain and not understanding those factors can lead to erroneous policy decisions," LaMarche said.
Board members and staff agreed the presentation was a first look and asked staff to return with additional analyses. Director Ryan Moran asked board members to raise further questions with staff or the appropriate advisory committee ahead of the board's next meeting on May 28.
The approved procedural action: - Approval of the 01/28/2026 meeting minutes (motion moved and seconded; voice vote: ayes recorded).
