Monthly Archives: August 2006

Quality & Cost Council Convenes

Posted on August 24, 2006 by

On my second day at Health Care For All as the new Consumer Health Quality Coordinator, I had the opportunity to attend the initial meeting of the Health Care Quality and Cost Council (see agenda, and introductory powerpoint). The Council … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality, MA Health Reform | 2 Comments

New Report on Health Insurance Affordability in MA

Posted on August 23, 2006 by

Topic A in Massachusetts health reform now is affordability. Just in time, the ever excellent Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation has produced a new report: “Setting a Standard of Affordability for Health Insurance Coverage in Massachusetts.” The report … Continue reading →

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Straw Men and Real Arguments

Posted on August 22, 2006 by

The Connector Board will be deciding on premium levels for the CCHIP program at their September 1 meeting, a week from Friday. The vote was put off at their meeting last week, after some members of the Board raised objections … Continue reading →

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Culture, Not Malpractice, Keeps Docs from Apologizing

Posted on August 19, 2006 by

The best definition I ever heard for the word “culture” is: “the way we do things around here” — wherever here may be. The definition comes to mind as I read this account from the Kaiser Daily Health Report on … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality, US health policy | 1 Comment

Legislative Arcana: MA Legislative Filing Deadline Pushed Back

Posted on August 19, 2006 by

This is only for those of you who pay close attention to the legislative process (like we do). The bill filing deadline for the 2007-08 session of the Massachusetts Legislature has officially been moved back to the 2nd Wednesday in … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Politics | 1 Comment

Health Reform Running Out of Money? Not So Fast

Posted on August 19, 2006 by

One of the least coherent health reform strands in the past week has been the expressed concern that health reform will quickly “run out of money” and be forced to cap enrollment in the new subsidized insurance products to be … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | 1 Comment

Unveiled at Last: Who Is Eric Benson?

Posted on August 18, 2006 by

HCFA has been graced this summer with the most fantastic group of interns ever assembled in one place. Unexpectedly, one has gained notoriety around town, Eric Benson, for his pithy and perceptive blog accounts of board and committee meetings of … Continue reading →

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The Connector Slows Down

Posted on August 17, 2006 by

The Connector Affordability Committee had been rushing ahead, putting in a huge amount of effort to establish premium and cost sharing standards before upcoming deadlines, but today the full Board slammed on the brakes. Everyone expected the Board to review … Continue reading →

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MA Health Reform Impact: Check Out Colorado

Posted on August 16, 2006 by

Wonder if MA health reform has influenced other states? Exhibit A: a Colorado gubernatorial debate on health care. Democrat Bill Ritter and Republican Bob Beauprez show the influence Massachusetts has had. Click here for the full account in the Rocky … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform, States | 3 Comments

Connector Release CCHIP Premium Recommendation

Posted on August 16, 2006 by

Tomorrow the Connector Board will consider emergency regulations regarding premiums, benefits and cost sharing for Commonwealth Care. If adopted, the draft regulations will be the subject of a public hearing on September 25 (click here for the Connector’s schedule through … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | 3 Comments