Massachusetts health care costs fell in 2020 for the first time since the implementation of a landmark cost control law 10 years ago, but the decline was a one-time outlier caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. likely to be, state analysts said, and would not reverse the worrying trend. concluded in a new report.

The latest annual health care cost trend report from the Health Policy Board, released Tuesday, shows the panel’s recent progress on the rising trajectory of health care costs and the growing burden it places on Bay State families, despite being the top line. It reflects a lot of warnings. For the first time since the agency was created in 2012, the health spending environment index has tilted downward.

From 2019 to 2020, statewide total per capita health spending fell 2.4%, marking the seventh consecutive year of slowing annual growth. On the last two of those, he beat his 3.1% benchmark, which represents a goal to keep cost increases within a manageable range.

But officials are clearly not seeing that change as meaningful progress toward curbing prices in an industry that is a pillar of the Massachusetts economy and puts many families under financial pressure.

HPC analysts wrote in a report that spending growth, which has dominated in recent years, is “likely to continue” on an upward trajectory into 2021 and beyond. Although the pandemic has rewired the pattern in 2020, the authors find that many factors behind rising costs have been “exacerbated” and that “while adding inflationary headwinds in the form of higher labor and supply costs, health It contributed to widening inequality.”

At a committee meeting on Tuesday, HPC executive director David Seltz said the long-term upward trend in costs was due to “persistent challenges and market failures that have not been adequately addressed over the past decade.” I thought it was. Excessive variability in drug prices and costs between different providers.

“Policy makers believe that urgent action is needed to strengthen and evolve our approach, otherwise increasing inaccessibility and health insecurity for Massachusetts residents and businesses. We will continue to have a healthcare system where equality continues to expand,” Seltz said.