Monthly Archives: May 2008

Real Life from HCFA’s Helpline

Posted on May 24, 2008 by

Happy Memorial Day weekend to everyone. Real and recent stories from HCFA’s Helpline: Frances* is a single, retired nurse whose only income is Social Security in the amount of $1,051 monthly. She has been uninsured since she retired and couldn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | 3 Comments

Senate Passes FY09 Budget – On To Conference

Posted on May 23, 2008 by

After taking up over 897 amendments in two days, the Senate adopted their $28 billion budget late yesterday evening. Thanks to Senator Wilkerson, an amendment to establish an Office of Health Equity with an earmark for $250,000 to staff the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Quality and Cost Council Gets Glimpse of Website

Posted on May 23, 2008 by

The Quality and Cost Council’s website will go live on June 24 with quality data, but cost data won’t be available until July 18. The original plan had been to give hospitals 2 weeks to review cost data before the … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | Leave a comment

MA in the Forefront of Smoking Bans

Posted on May 22, 2008 by

In 2004, there were three states that barred smoking in private sector workplaces, restaurants, and bars: Delaware, Massachusetts, and New York. Now other states are starting to catch up. In 2007, there were 11 such states: Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, … Continue reading →

Posted in Public Health | Leave a comment

The Legislature Advances a Bill Prohibiting Pharma from Using our Prescription Information to Market Drugs to Doctors

Posted on May 22, 2008 by

In its final executive session of the legislative session, the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing favorably reported Financial Services Committee House Chair Representative Mariano’s bill (H. 1005) that would prohibit a pharmaceutical marketing practice known as “data-mining.” Unbeknownst to … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Market | 2 Comments

Senator Moore Gives Pharma a Piece of His Mind

Posted on May 21, 2008 by

From State House News Service: Sen. Richard Moore, co-chair of the Health Care Financing Committee, defended a Senate ban on gifts from pharmaceutical companies to health care industry workers, which pharma executives have blasted as anti-business. “That’s a foolish position … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Market | 3 Comments

“…all the glamour of compiling a grocery list”

Posted on May 21, 2008 by

Yesterday’s New York Times article: “In Hospitals, Simple Reminders Reduce Deadly Infections,” is yet more concrete evidence that hospital acquired infections are not inevitable and can be controlled. Hospitals incorporating the “checklist” pioneered by Dr. Peter Pronovost of Johns Hopkins … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | 1 Comment

The Growing Problem of High Deductible Health Plans

Posted on May 21, 2008 by

According to a recent Health Beat blog entry, special “high deductible health plans” (HDHPs) that are tied to health savings accounts (HSAs) are gaining popularity in the US. The number of Americans enrolled in these health plans doubled in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Market | 11 Comments

AG Coakley Wins Settlement with Merck on Vioxx

Posted on May 20, 2008 by

From Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office today: Today Attorney General Coakley’s Office filed a settlement with New Jersey-based drug manufacturer Merck and Company, Inc.(Merck) resolving concerns about the company’s deceptive advertising and promotion of the “Cox-2” inhibitor drug Vioxx which … Continue reading →

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Quality and Cost Council Meets Wednesday

Posted on May 20, 2008 by

The Health Care Quality and Cost Council is meeting on Wednesday, 1-4 pm, 1 Ashburton Place, 21st floor. No committee meetings are taking place. Agenda: I. Approval of Minutes of Council Meeting April 16, 2008 II. Executive Director’s Report A. … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | Leave a comment