Monthly Archives: May 2007

Getting Down with the Swiss

Posted on May 31, 2007 by

The Massachusetts Health Policy Forum and Health Care For All are co-sponsoring a public forum: “Universal Coverage and Individual Mandate in Switzerland: Lessons for Massachusetts” on Friday, June 22, 2007 from 9:45am-11:30am at Gardner Auditorium in the State House in … Continue reading →

Posted in International health policy, MA Health Reform | Leave a comment

WSJ Profiles Connector Board

Posted on May 30, 2007 by

Darn shame it requires a subscription, because today’s front page Wall Street Journal article on the Board of Directors of the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority is a gem. The article describes how ten individuals from a wide range of … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | 2 Comments

YAP YAP YAP — Today’s DOI Hearing on Young Adult Plans

Posted on May 30, 2007 by

The Division of Insurance held a hearing today on its emergency Young Adult Plan (YAP) regulations. YAPs are private health plans to be offered through the Connector only to persons between ages 19 and 26. The Division worked with the … Continue reading →

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

Connector Board Hears MCC, Affordability Testimony

Posted on May 29, 2007 by

Today the Connector Board held their third and last public hearing on draft regulations on “minimum creditable coverage” (MCC), affordability, and CommCare premiums at Gardner Auditorium in the State House. Taking testimony were Connector Executive Director Jon Kingsdale, Board Chair … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | 8 Comments

Quality and Cost Council Goals: Send Us Your Comments

Posted on May 29, 2007 by

As we mentioned in a 5/24 blog entry, the Massachusetts Quality and Cost Council has issued a draft of its goals for FY ’08. They are inviting comments from members of the advisory committee, on which HCFA holds a seat. … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | Leave a comment

PA Gov. Rendell Sets Up “Office of Health Equity”

Posted on May 26, 2007 by

PA Gov. Ed Rendell is getting quite active on health policy in a number of positive ways. His health access expansion initiative is getting beaten up in the Legislature, but it’s a good plan and a good starting point for … Continue reading →

Posted in Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities | 1 Comment

Iraq War Bill Funds Also MA Kids Coverage

Posted on May 26, 2007 by

Yesterday the U.S. Congress acted to expand both funding for the Iraq war and children’s health insurance at the same time. Contained in the war funding bill signed by the President yesterday is approximately $650 million in emergency money for … Continue reading →

Posted in MassHealth/Medicaid, US health policy | Leave a comment

Physicians Get It Right and Wrong at the Same Time

Posted on May 25, 2007 by

Physicians for a National Health Program, a single-payer support group, is gathering signatures in an online petition opposing Connector policies on Minimum Creditable Coverage and the individual mandate. You can read the letter, which as of this writing has around … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | 5 Comments

Quality and Cost Council Moves To Set FY’08 Goals; Looks at P4P

Posted on May 24, 2007 by

The Quality and Cost Council met Wednesday with the new Executive Director, Katharine London, officially on board. Katharine announced that an initial website, with basic Council information, meeting locations and times, etc., will be up and running soon through mass.gov. … Continue reading →

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

Is This Variation Really Necessary?

Posted on May 24, 2007 by

Julie Jette, the first-rate health reporter for the Quincy Patriot Ledger, kicks the tires on Commonwealth Choice non-subsidized plans and finds significant variations in premiums by occupation and zip code (click here for her article): “For example, the cheapest policy … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Market, MA Health Reform | 4 Comments