Monthly Archives: June 2009

Why the Alcohol Sales Tax is a Good Idea for Public Health—and for Massachusetts

Posted on June 17, 2009 by

[guest blog post from the United We Stand For Public Health Coalition] Public health funding in Massachusetts is already in crisis, even before the further cuts planned for the coming year. The $32 million cut from public health this fiscal … Continue reading →

Posted in Public Health | 5 Comments

Oral Health Everywhere

Posted on June 15, 2009 by

The summer can be a quiet season, but that isn’t so for the world of oral health advocacy. We hope to see you in the coming days, and months, at a number of exciting events that will provide the opportunity … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral Health | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Quality and Cost Council to Hold Annual Meeting Next Week

Posted on June 15, 2009 by

The QCC will hold its annual meeting on June 25, 8:30am-12:00, at UMASS Medical School. The public is welcome to attend. Part of the meeting will include small breakout groups during which QCC members and others attending the meeting will … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality, Healthcare Cost Control | Leave a comment

Health Equity for All

Posted on June 12, 2009 by

On Tuesday, the legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing for nearly 20 bills relating to access to care and health disparities. In front of a buzzing Gardner Auditorium, over one hundred health care advocates, community members, physicians, … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Disparities | Leave a comment

House of the Whopper

Posted on June 12, 2009 by

Last night some Republicans took the floor of the US House of Representatives to attack health reform. It’s what the House calls “Special Orders.” The chamber is empty, and the real audience is the C-Span junkies and the partisans of … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform, US health policy | Leave a comment

Connector Considers CommCare, Choice and Coverage

Posted on June 12, 2009 by

The Connector Board met Thursday to discuss Commonwealth Care regulations, Minimum Creditable Coverage issues, and the Commonwealth Choice Seal of Approval. Most of the meeting was spent seeking consensus on three difficult issues that the Connector has encountered in the … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | Leave a comment

Make the Call – Support Alcohol Taxes For Public Health

Posted on June 11, 2009 by

Please call your representative about the alcohol tax in the conference budget. The Senate included a provision closing the alcohol exclusion loophole in the sales tax. The funds collected would be dedicated to a number of public health programs. Without … Continue reading →

Posted in budget, Public Health | 2 Comments

Committee Looks at E-Health Privacy Bill

Posted on June 11, 2009 by

The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies held a hearing on Tuesday, June 9th which included S. 200, “An Act to Clarify and Enhance Privacy Protections for Electronic Health Records.” Check out our earlier post on this bill … Continue reading →

Posted in E-health | 1 Comment

Connector Meets Thursday

Posted on June 9, 2009 by

The Connector Board will meet on Thursday, June 11th in the 21st floor conference room of One Ashburton Place, Boston. The agenda has been posted here; with more to follow. The Board is scheduled to receive updates on the State … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | Leave a comment

Bad News is Good News, and Why We Should Not Exempt Alcohol: Budget Conference Starts

Posted on June 7, 2009 by

The budget is everything in state government, even in good years. This year it’s the entire universe. The House and Senate budget conferees have started their work, and Governor Patrick submitted his revised budget to the legislature. Now we must … Continue reading →

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