Monthly Archives: August 2007

Romney: “I Was Brainwashed in Massachusetts…”

Posted on August 24, 2007 by

In a stunning admission at a campaign health event in Florida today, Republican Presidential Candidate and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney said that he had been “brainwashed” while serving as governor and agreeing to a big government health expansion scheme. … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Humor, Health Care Politics | 3 Comments

Go Get ‘Em, Martha

Posted on August 23, 2007 by

Deceptive marketing. Deceptive sales to seniors. Illegal exclusions. Failure to cover maternity care and newborn visits. Violation of privacy rights. Illegal membership practices. AG Martha Coakley has filed a lawsuit against the big, bad, MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Market | 2 Comments

Pool Hearing: 3 Questions for Patrick Administration

Posted on August 22, 2007 by

This morning’s hearing on the Health Safety Net (HSN) Trust Fund, successor to the Uncompensated Care Pool, began with a twist (you can read the State House News Service coverage here; and the Globe’s here). Just before the hearing got … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | 2 Comments

US HHS Sect. Leavitt Starts a Blog

Posted on August 21, 2007 by

Well, here’s a surprise. US Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt has started a blog. Click here. He writes from the road — Montana and South Africa, for two. And he takes comments — moderated during working hours by … Continue reading →

Posted in US health policy | 3 Comments

…In Which We Praise US Healthcare — Believe It or Not

Posted on August 21, 2007 by

Tip of the hat to Andrew Sullivan’s always engaging blog for this one. A British Telegraph article (click here), reporting on a new study in the Lancet, shows that the US health care system produces the best cancer survivor rates … Continue reading →

Posted in International health policy | 1 Comment

Health Safety Net Hearing Wednesday Morning

Posted on August 21, 2007 by

The hearing on the eligibility, cost sharing and services under the Health Safety Net Trust Fund is tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 22, at 9:30 am at 1 Ashburton, 21st floor. Please attend to show your support for a safety net that … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | Leave a comment

More on the New Medicare Payment Rules

Posted on August 20, 2007 by

For contrary views on yesterday’s post on the new Medicare payment rules — see the new blog, The Physician Executive, and see Paul Levy’s blog entry from Sunday, especially the followup discussion and comments — click here for that. Tonight, … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | 2 Comments

A Key Turning Point on Hospital Acquired Infections

Posted on August 19, 2007 by

I’m back from two weeks vacation in Utah (what a place!) — with welcome news in today’s NYTimes front page story (click here) that the Medicare program, run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will stop paying for … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | 12 Comments

MetroWest Quality Forum Monday

Posted on August 17, 2007 by

This coming Monday evening, consumers, providers, and advocates will come together for the MetroWest Community Forum on Health Care Quality. This community forum will be an opportunity for anyone who cares about the quality of their health care to express … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | Leave a comment

Health Reform Never Stops

Posted on August 16, 2007 by

EOHHS issued their latest health reform implementation update earlier in the week. It’s not on their website yet, but we got it right here. (NEW: you can read all of the reports, filed every 60 days, here) Headlines: 105,000 people … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | Leave a comment