Monthly Archives: March 2009

DHCFP Releases Detailed Data on Health Insurance Coverage & Access to Health Care in Massachusetts

Posted on March 31, 2009 by

The Division of Health Care Finance and Policy (DHCFP) today released comprehensive data on access to health insurance coverage and care in the Commonwealth. Access to Health Care in Massachusetts: Estimates from the 2008 Massachusetts Health Insurance Survey presents updated … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | Leave a comment

Children’s Health: Scattered Thoughts from DC

Posted on March 31, 2009 by

This past Sunday and Monday, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the Georgetown Center for Children and Families gathered advocates from around the country to discuss the recently-passed Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA). The new law … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Health | 2 Comments

Consumers Meet Payment Reform Commission

Posted on March 31, 2009 by

Today HCFA hosted the consumer stakeholder engagement meeting with the Special Commission on the Health Payment System. The Payment Commission is holding a second round of meetings with stakeholders prior to their coming up with recommendations for revamping the health … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Cost Control | Leave a comment

Consumer Council Provides Quality Testimony in Springfield

Posted on March 31, 2009 by

On Monday, the Department of Public Health held a public hearing in Springfield on the proposed amendments implementing certain provisions of chapter 305. Consumer Health Quality Council member John McCormack gave testimony on behalf of the Consumer Council regarding how … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | Leave a comment

PBS Frontline Series: Sick Around America, Tuesday 9:00 pm

Posted on March 30, 2009 by

Check out the PBS Frontline special, “Sick Around America.” It airs Tuesday, March 31 at 9 PM and will follow individuals & families across the US as they recount their successes and failures with our health care system. A few … Continue reading →

Posted in US health policy | 3 Comments

Mass Health Information Technology Council Meeting Today

Posted on March 30, 2009 by

Please attend if you have an interest in how electronic health record systems will be implemented! When: TODAY, March 30, 3:30 – 5:00 Where: 1 Ashburton Place, 11th floor, Matta Conference Room

Posted in E-health | Leave a comment

Real Voices: Your Weekly Dose from the HCFA Helpline

Posted on March 27, 2009 by

Back after a brief vacation, 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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpline | Leave a comment

MassHealth redetermination response time to return to 45 days

Posted on March 27, 2009 by

Earlier today MassHealth announced their return to a 45-day redetermination cycle for Eligibility Review Verification forms. In mid-December of 2008, this return time was shortened to 30 days as a cost-saving measure for the state. As part of the federal … Continue reading →

Posted in MassHealth/Medicaid | 1 Comment

Take Two Pills (UPDATE: now with video!)

Posted on March 27, 2009 by

Two Pharma-related items to report: 1. Data Mining Hearing at the State House Yesterday the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a hearing on several bills related to data mining (S. 17, S. 19, H. 109, and H. 110). … Continue reading →

Posted in Prescription Drug Reform | 4 Comments

HIT* Has Missed — So Far (*Health Information Technology)

Posted on March 27, 2009 by

The New England Journal of Medicine article, Use of Electronic Health Records in U.S. Hospitals, by Ashish Jha et al. (described here through WBUR’s excellent story on the topic), reports on results of a survey of electronic health record (EHR) … Continue reading →

Posted in E-health | 1 Comment