Monthly Archives: May 2009

CommCare Open Enrollment Begins

Posted on May 26, 2009 by

Commonwealth Care open enrollment has begun! (press release here) CommCare members who would like to change their health plans may do so from now until June 25th. According to CommCare Director Melissa Boudreault, “If you are happy with your current … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | Leave a comment

Eat Your Words, Pharma

Posted on May 26, 2009 by

These blog posts are so easy. All it takes is a little time to pass. Excerpt from full page pharma industry Globe ad, August 2008: “On the Governor’s desk sits legislation that could well determine the future of the life … Continue reading →

Posted in Prescription Drug Reform | 1 Comment

Joint Committee on Health Care Financing Hearing on May 27th

Posted on May 26, 2009 by

The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing will hold a public hearing on May 27th at 1:00pm in Room A-1 at the State House. Insurance, medical malpractice, and health care workforce bills will be heard. The ACT!! Coalition will be … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | 1 Comment

Real Voices: Your Weekly Dose from the HCFA Helpline

Posted on May 22, 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 →

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Bookmark This: BCBS MA Foundation Launches Impressive New Website

Posted on May 21, 2009 by

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation is launching their new website today: BlueCrossFoundation.org. We think it’s great, we want you to take a look at it, too. The website is user-friendly and chock-full of valuable information about the … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform, Outreach, Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities | Leave a comment

Mass Health Information Technology Council Meets Wednesday

Posted on May 21, 2009 by

The Health Information Technology Council meets Wednesday, May 27, from 9 – 10:30 a.m., at 1 Ashburton Place, 11th Floor, in the Matta Conference Room. This coming Wednesday’s meeting promises to be very interesting and informative. Council members will be … Continue reading →

Posted in E-health | Leave a comment

Cost Reports To Be Delayed

Posted on May 21, 2009 by

The Cost and Quality Council met yesterday (materials here). They discussed their internal budget, patient safety, care transitions and DOI’s slow but steady progress on uniform coding and billing regulations. At the meeting, the Commission heard an update on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Cost Control | Leave a comment

New Blog Tracks MA Budget Process

Posted on May 21, 2009 by

An old friend and colleague has a blog focusing on the Massachusetts budget process. Lots of juicy stuff here, for those of us who care about the numbers and the politics. You can read it here: massbudget.blogspot.com. Brian Rosman

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The final hours – Senate budget debate

Posted on May 21, 2009 by

The Senate is quickly wrapping up their budget debate. Thank you to all the Senators for their work on restoring health and human services this week with the new revenues. HCFA supports three additional budget items that cost no money. … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Politics | Tagged | Leave a comment

Independent Analysis: Health Reform Costs “Relatively Modest”

Posted on May 20, 2009 by

[T]he underlying financial model of shared participation is working well, with major strides in reducing the size of the uninsured population and only a marginal impact on state spending. Just in time for the Senate budget debate, the Massachusetts Taxpayers … Continue reading →

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