Health Policy Commission report estimated total health care spending in Massachusetts at $71.7 billion in 2022, and a per capita health care expenditure of $10,264 per resident. Between 2021 and 2023, the percentage of emergency department patients who stayed longer than 12 hours increased from 6.1 percent to 10.2 percent, according to the HPC. Insurers double down on the necessity of such a measure, saying it gives them more leverage in negotiations with hospitals.