Monthly Archives: January 2008

More on the Health Reform/ERISA Conundrum

Posted on January 27, 2008 by

One of the murkiest areas in state health reform is the topic of ERISA — the 1974 Employee Retirement and Income Security Act — which has been interpreted by federal courts to prohibit state mandates on employers regarding the scope … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | 1 Comment

HCFA’s Camille Watson and the DAN Get National Recognition

Posted on January 26, 2008 by

So a good-sized contingent of HCFA folks have been down in DC for a large chunk of this week at the annual conference of Families USA, the national consumer advocacy organization. On Friday, they gave out their annual awards and … Continue reading →

Posted in Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities | 1 Comment

Consumer Quality Advice from AHRQ’s Dr. Clancy

Posted on January 25, 2008 by

Dr. Carolyn Clancy, Director of the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), has started her own advice column for consumers on matters related to health care quality. Here’s a list of her articles so far: What to Ask … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | Leave a comment

One Last Chance — Take the Healthy Blog Reader Survey

Posted on January 24, 2008 by

OK folks — we’ve gotten a good number of responses, but we’re never satisfied, and the deadline is tomorrow at midnight. So do us a favor please. Whether you love us or hate us, take this 12 question survey to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Putting in Perspective Today’s Globe Story

Posted on January 24, 2008 by

Today’s front page of the Boston Globe leads with the headline: Cost of Health Initiative Up $400M. “Spending on the state’s landmark health insurance initiative would rise by more than $400 million next year, representing one of the largest increases … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | 7 Comments

If You’re Going to Sa-Cra-Mento, Be Sure to Wear – A Flak Jacket and a Helmet

Posted on January 24, 2008 by

Sacramento: It was a dicey scene at California’s State Capitol on Wednesday as about 500(?) gathered at a public hearing of the State Senate’s Health Committee to testify for and against the health reform bill advanced by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger … Continue reading →

Posted in States | Leave a comment

Oral Health Legislation Takes a Step Closer to Becoming Law

Posted on January 24, 2008 by

Great news for oral health! The Oral Health Advocacy Taskforce’s bill, An Act improving, promoting, and protecting the oral health of the Commonwealth has been reported favorably out of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. We anticipate that it … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | Leave a comment

Patrick Budget — Good News on Health

Posted on January 23, 2008 by

Governor Deval Patrick issued his budget proposal today, with lots of good news for health care access, disparities, and other health concerns. The budget is online here, with more public details and more transparency than any other budget in state … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform, MassHealth/Medicaid, Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities | Leave a comment

Pharma Marketing Getting Wise to Us

Posted on January 23, 2008 by

The new Massachusetts Prescription Reform Coalition is drawing the attention of the pharmaceutical/biotech industry. The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council opened its panel on relationships between doctors and the industry at yesterday’s Annual Policy Leadership Luncheon by noting those in Massachusetts who … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Market | 1 Comment

More Systems Getting Wise to Pharma Marketing

Posted on January 22, 2008 by

Hey, this is good. Let’s keep the ball rolling, Massachusetts!!?? (From today’s Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report: SMDC Health System, which operates four hospitals and 17 clinics in Minnesota and Wisconsin, recently removed all promotional gifts from pharmaceutical companies from … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Market | 2 Comments