Monthly Archives: January 2009

This is Radio Somewhere

Posted on January 30, 2009 by

Update: Listen here. Today, WBUR’s Radio Boston asks, “Can Mass Healthcare Be Used as a National Model?” The show airs at 1:00 pm today, and repeats at 1:00 pm tomorrow, Saturday. You can also listen online after the show airs. … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpline, MA Health Reform | 8 Comments

Quality and Cost Council Holds Second Website Launch Event Tomorrow

Posted on January 29, 2009 by

The Quality and Cost Council will hold another website launch event tomorrow, January 30, 2:00pm at Fallon Community Health Plan in Worcester (10 Chestnut Street, 9th floor).Speakers will include employers, physicians, and a consumer, in addition to Secretary Bigby, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | Leave a comment

House One Budget Released

Posted on January 28, 2009 by

Governor Patrick started the FY 2010 budget process today with the filing of House 1, the administration’s budget proposal. Given the steep decline in existing revenues, the budget was bound to be a good news/bad news situation. The budget proposes … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality, Healthcare Cost Control, MA Health Reform, MassHealth/Medicaid, Public Health | 1 Comment

What Doctors Can Learn from Pilots

Posted on January 27, 2009 by

CommonWealth Magazine’s terrific CommonWealth Unbound blog recently highlighted how a safety checklist can reduce the number of deaths from hospital-acquired infections. According to the author, a flight training manual developed in 1980s states the following, “[E]ven the most experienced professional … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | 2 Comments

Education Alone Is Not Enough

Posted on January 26, 2009 by

“These are not bad people or lazy people suffering in this economy – All people are suffering” – Dr. Deborah Frank, Children’s Sentinel Nutrition Assessment Program (C-SNAP) Education had long been touted as the silver bullet to solve issues of … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Health | 1 Comment

Thank You Mister Speaker

Posted on January 26, 2009 by

HCFA applauds the hard work of Speaker Sal DiMasi and his unwavering commitment to health reform in Massachusetts. DiMasi was a driving force behind the law. With just two years of implementation, over 440,000 previously uninsured people now have health … Continue reading →

Posted in HCFA | 3 Comments

The Tide Becomes A Flood (UPDATED)

Posted on January 26, 2009 by

Over the weekend we blogged that the tipping point on disclosure of payments by pharma and device makers has already been reached. Between state and federal initiatives, and the rush to get ahead of regulation by voluntary disclosures, the industry … Continue reading →

Posted in Prescription Drug Reform | 1 Comment

Watch Your Mouth Celebrates Dr. Joel Pearlman, Our 2009 Community Hero!

Posted on January 26, 2009 by

Dr. Joel Pearlman has been working continuously with the Tufts Dental Facilities serving Persons with Special Needs since the late 1970’s. He has dedicated his career to improving the oral health of patients with developmental disabilities, where he ensures that … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral Health | Leave a comment

Real Voices: Your Weekly Dose from the HCFA Helpline

Posted on January 25, 2009 by

Every week we highlight the voices of real people that contact our Helpline every day. Once a week you will be introduced to a family whose life has changed for the better due to health reform. If you or anyone … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpline | Leave a comment

It’s Almost Sad: The Rx Tipping Point

Posted on January 24, 2009 by

Sometimes the world starts changing so fast, those wedded to the status quo don’t even realize what’s happening. So today the Globe leads with the pleas of the pharma and device industry via their fronts, the hotel and convention industry. … Continue reading →

Posted in Prescription Drug Reform | 2 Comments