The Public Health Council held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 13.
The Council heard a presentation on the cost containment legislation (signed into law by Governor Patrick on August 10) and its impact on the Department of Public Health (DPH). DPH Commissioner John Auerbach explained that the Council’s responsibilities were to understand the legislative intent of the cost control bill and help to develop and implement the necessary regulatory changes. The Council discussed the provisions of the bill related to health care quality, electronic medical records, Determination of Need, the pharmaceutical marketing code of conduct, professional boards, the End of Life Care Initiative led by EOHHS, and the MassHealth medical home efforts.
DPH is the lead agency responsible for developing and implementing the drug detailing program and the health care workforce center. The Council plans to make progress on the regulatory changes in upcoming Council meetings this fall and winter.
Additionally, Dr. Lauren Smith, Medical Director of DPH, presented an informational briefing on proposed regulations governing the testing of newborns for treatable diseases and disorders. The New England Newborn Screening Program screens all babies born in this state (about 80,000 children a year) and coordinates testing, diagnosis, treatment and tracking of outcomes. Babies are screened for conditions such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disorders, and toxoplasmosis. The recommended changes to the Newborn Screening Program include adding conditions to the mandated screening list, clarifying operational issues, and changing the name of the program to the Newborn Blood Screening Program. Public hearings on the proposed regulations will be held in the fall and regulations will be returned to the Council in the late fall or early winter for final promulgation, with the hope that the regulations will be implemented by February, 2009.
The Council also voted on various DON projects.
Catherine Hammons
