Monthly Archives: August 2009

Weekend Heavy: Point-Counterpoint on Payment Reform and ACOs

Posted on August 23, 2009 by

For the weekend, we’re going to do a mix of heavy and light posts. First, the heavy: The centerpiece of the proposed payment reform recommended by the Special Commission is the creation of “Accountable Care Organizations” (ACOs) that would receive … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Cost Control | 1 Comment

DPH Looks at Human Rights and Public Health

Posted on August 21, 2009 by

If you see someone drowning in a river you should swim out to save them; and when another person is seen floundering in the tides, you can do the same for them. This is the medical approach to solving health … Continue reading →

Posted in Public Health | 3 Comments

Blue Cross Foundation Looking For A New Boss

Posted on August 21, 2009 by

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation has posted its “invitation to apply” for the position of President. Former President Jarrett T. Barrios has left, and the Foundation’s interim President is Anya Rader Wallack, Executive Director of the Massachusetts … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | Leave a comment

Oral Health in National Health Reform: Working Together Towards a Healthy Future

Posted on August 21, 2009 by

The success of our country is based upon the power of people working together to develop creative solutions to everyday problems. Currently, stakeholders from all parts of this nation are speaking up about health care reform. To be successful, these … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral Health | Leave a comment

Legislature Passes Oral Health Bill

Posted on August 20, 2009 by

Senate 536, An Act making technical correction in a certain law relative to oral health, was enacted by the legislature today and sent to the Governor for his signature. HCFA supports the bill. The bill is a technical correction to … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral Health | 1 Comment

Props to Running a Hospital Blog

Posted on August 18, 2009 by

Click here to view today’s post at Running a Hospital Blog, the online voice of Paul Levy, President and CEO of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. The entry urges people to participate in HCFA’s Consumer Health Quality Council. … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | 3 Comments

The Religious – and Personal – Voice for Reform

Posted on August 17, 2009 by

Fourteen years ago, on August 16, 1995 a beloved friend, Carla Barrett lost her battle with AIDS. When we met she was poor, uninsured, and completely overwhelmed by the fact that she had a fatal disease. Carla and I were … Continue reading →

Posted in National Health Reform | Leave a comment

Public Citizen Highlights Steps for Saving Lives and Money

Posted on August 17, 2009 by

Public Citizen recently released a report laying out patient safety reforms that could save the nation thousands of lives and billions of dollars. Read the report on the Public Citizen website (pdf). The report lists 10 reforms, with associated estimates … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | Leave a comment

Health Reform Rally At Senator Kerry’s Office

Posted on August 15, 2009 by

If it is Saturday in America, it is a new opportunity to raise awareness and encourage support for national health reform. This morning found me at One Bowdoin Place in front of the Boston offices of Senator Kerry with dozens … Continue reading →

Posted in National Health Reform | Tagged | 1 Comment

Weekend Fun-Link Riot!

Posted on August 15, 2009 by

A mid-August weekend, and there’s only so much attention one can pay to the health care world. We could link you to the insightful editorial in the Taunton Daily Gazette, “Bay State’s health reform success story,” but the editorial only … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Humor, US health policy | 3 Comments