Monthly Archives: April 2005

The National Academy of State Health Policy observes that for 25 years states have served as laboratories for health care reform efforts. In examining the impact and effectiveness of state funded health insurance programs they observe: “State demonstrations have shown … Continue reading →

Last night, both houses of Congress voted along partisan lines to cut $10 billion in Medicaid spending nationally over the next five years as part of the FY06 budget resolution. This same budget plan cuts taxes on everyone making more … Continue reading →

A great new Robert Wood Johnson study provides state by state estimates on numbers of uninsured adults and uninsured adults with jobs. Among uninsured adults, best states were Minnesota (8.3%), Hawaii (9.8% — love that employer mandate!), and Deleware (10.2%). … Continue reading →

Just about a year ago, HCFA’s Consumer Helpline began answering online requests for assistance. If you know anyone in need of free advice about their health coverage options, feel welcome to refer them to our Helpline — phone or email. … Continue reading →

Beginning today, the Mass. House of Representatives begins its annual budget debate. It usually goes on for most of the week, and the key decisions on health issue occur later in the week. HCFA and our allies are working on … Continue reading →

At HCFA, we regularly get daily doses of reality. Here are two recent examples: “I currently have no health insurance, its a god dam ripoff. Been paying $4000 a year for $5000 deductable. No claims for ten years, just $40,000 … Continue reading →

Today, the Affordable Care Today! Coalition (formerly the Massachusetts Heatlh Reform Coalition) released a poll conducted by respected pollster Tom Kiley on attitudes of Massachusetts voters toward health reform. See the results by clicking here. Among the key results, health … Continue reading →

Today’s Boston Globe reports new Massachusetts data on infant mortality. “In 2003, the year covered in the report presented by the state Department of Public Health, 4.1 of every 1,000 white, non-Hispanic infants born in Massachusetts died before reaching their … Continue reading →

Our sister organization, Community Catalyst, has collaborated with other organizations to create a great new and free website of information, analysis, and materials to help in the fight to protect Medicaid from cuts by Congress. The site is called “Medicaid … Continue reading →

Beginning next Monday, the Mass. House of Reps will begin debating the FY06 state budget. The House budget writers left out a lot of important items to help uninsured folks get coverage and to help folks already on MassHealth get … Continue reading →