Monthly Archives: September 2007

9/30/07 Double Milestone II: SCHIP/CHIP and Bush’s Brain

Posted on September 30, 2007 by

Today is the final day of the first 10 years of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP – though House Democrats now insist it be called CHIP). Congress and the President have yet to agree on a new authorization … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Politics, States, US health policy | 4 Comments

9/30/07 Double Milestone I: RIP UCP

Posted on September 30, 2007 by

Today is the final day in the life of the Uncompensated Care Pool. Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve gotten no invitations to celebrations, funerals, parties or any other recognition of the sunset of a central facet of MA health … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | Leave a comment

Mile High Health Reform Hopes in Colorado

Posted on September 29, 2007 by

I’m in Denver for a FamiliesUSA board of directors meeting, and while here, had the chance to connect with CO public officials and activists on their health reform dreams, intentions, plans and progress. Back in 2006, a Republican Governor and … Continue reading →

Posted in States | 1 Comment

Legislature Approves $9.5M for Distressed Hospitals

Posted on September 27, 2007 by

From today’s State House News Service: Secretary of Health and Human Services JudyAnn Bigby downplayed what some senators only hours earlier declared was a looming fiscal crisis for the state’s hospitals. Asked whether the state was on the verge of … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Politics | Leave a comment

Two for the Road at Commonhealth

Posted on September 27, 2007 by

Two posts deserving special attention over at the WBUR blog, CommonHealth: First, Leslie Kirwan, Secretary of Administration and Finance and Chair of the Connector Board, gives an overview of the Connector’s upcoming challenges — click here. One of many money … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Market, MA Health Reform | Leave a comment

Let Us Now Praise the New England Congressional Delegation

Posted on September 26, 2007 by

We have not written much recently on the SCHIP battle between a bipartisan Congressional majority on one side and President Bush and his dwindling band of true believers on the other. Not much because there’s no controversy over SCHIP renewal … Continue reading →

Posted in US health policy | 1 Comment

MA Quality/Cost Council Meetings & Committees

Posted on September 25, 2007 by

The Massachusetts Quality and Cost Council, the statewide body established under health reform to set quality improvement and cost containment goals for Massachusetts, has restructured its committees and has issued a new schedule for meetings. All meetings are open to … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | Leave a comment

Should Consumers Be Able to See Hospital Mortality Data?

Posted on September 25, 2007 by

Yesterday, HCFA and the MA Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Errors cosponsored an event focusing on the potential to use hospital mortality data in general – and the Hospital Standardized Mortality Ratio in particular – for internal hospital quality … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | 1 Comment

New Pub on “Guidance for Employers” on Chapter 58

Posted on September 25, 2007 by

Last spring, State Representative Marty Walz wrote a guide on health reform for her legal colleagues. She’s just published an “Updated Guidance for Employers About the Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law,” another comprehensive look at Chapter 58. Click here to … Continue reading →

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Consumer Lawsuit on Prescription Drug “Average Wholesale Prices”

Posted on September 24, 2007 by

Attention Consumers: You May be Able to Join a Class Action Lawsuit on Prescription Drug Prices The Prescription Access Litigation (PAL) Project (a project of HCFA’s national partner, Community Catalyst and a coalition of which HCFA is a proud member) … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Market | 1 Comment