Monthly Archives: June 2009

And now, a word from your sponsor

Posted on June 30, 2009 by

Only 10 hours until HCFA ends its 2009 fiscal year. This is our last fundraising effort before July first and your final chance this year to support our work. We, like others in these difficult economic times, are struggling to … Continue reading →

Posted in HCFA | 3 Comments

Governor Opens Up Health Budget

Posted on June 30, 2009 by

Kudos to the Governor and the Administration and Finance staff for the very informative “Health Care Policy Brief” issued along with the budget signing and vetoes today. The document has full details of the spending levels approved for MassHealth, Commonwealth … Continue reading →

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About That Poll . . .

Posted on June 30, 2009 by

We hesitate to bring more attention to something that pretty much didn’t make a ripple, but when the Herald picks up only the misleading part of a State House New Service story, leaving out our responses, and when right-wing blogs … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | 3 Comments

The Budget and the Pen

Posted on June 29, 2009 by

The Governor took out his metaphorical veto pen today as he approved the state’s budget for fiscal year 2010. Saying, “Health care for all means health care for all,” at his press conference, the Governor proposed partially reversing the proposed … Continue reading →

Posted in budget, MA Health Reform | 6 Comments

Quality and Cost Council Holds Annual Meeting

Posted on June 26, 2009 by

The Quality and Cost Council held its annual meeting yesterday in Shrewsbury, MA. A good crowd turned out for the event which included a keynote address by Cathy Schoen from The Commonwealth Fund and a responding panel made up of … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | Leave a comment

Consumer Health Quality Council Testifies at State House

Posted on June 26, 2009 by

Nearly 100 consumers, advocates, medical experts, healthcare professionals and legislators gathered at the State House on Tuesday morning to testify before the Joint Committee on Public Health on bills relating to patient safety, malpractice and medical errors prevention and reporting. … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | Leave a comment

Will The Governor Axe MassHealth Dental Benefits? We Say No.

Posted on June 25, 2009 by

With the news this evening that the Governor will sign the sales tax increase as part of the budget package, due to be signed Monday, the likelihood of the Governor finding budget savings by vetoing spending for MassHealth adult dental … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral Health | 3 Comments

Public Health Council Meets to Vote on New Regulations

Posted on June 25, 2009 by

The Public Health Council led by Commissioner John Auerbach met the morning of Wednesday, June 25th to discuss and vote on a host of public health issues and regulations. The meeting began with a discussion to codify a definition of … Continue reading →

Posted in Public Health | Tagged | Leave a comment

Joint Committee on Health Care Financing Hears Health Care Affordability & Shared Responsibility Bills

Posted on June 25, 2009 by

The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a hearing Wednesday afternoon on several bills including one of the ACT!! Coalition’s priority bills on health care affordability. An Act Relative to Health Care Affordability Shanna Shulman, Director of Policy and … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | 1 Comment

No Good Options: Connector Board Makes Further Cuts to Commonwealth Care Program

Posted on June 24, 2009 by

The Connector Board met on Tuesday afternoon to vote on a revised Affordability Schedule, the Seal of Approval for the proposed Commonwealth Choice plans, revised Commonwealth Care regulations, the FY10 Administrative budget and a contract with Perot Systems. The Board … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | 5 Comments