Last week, the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy released two more reports. The FY 2009 Health Safety Net Annual Report (ppt) summarizes the activities of the HSN program (formerly the Uncompensated Care Pool) from October 2008-September 2009. The latest edition of the quarterly Key Indicators (pdf), was also released, covering up to June 30, 2009.
The reports show that health reform has entered a relatively stable period, without much change in one direction or another.
Highlights from the reports include:
- While total HSN volume and payments decreased dramatically from FY07-FY08, they were virtually unchanged from 08 to 09. However, HSN payments to community health centers increased by 13% from FY08-FY09. This is mainly attributable to increased dental and other medical visits.
- More than 408,000 additional people have enrolled in health insurance since the implementation of health reform. This is down from the peak of 425,000 at the end of June, 2008. From December 2008 to June 2009 private group enrollment declined by 1.3% as the unemployment rate rose from 6.4% to 8.6% and individuals lost their employer-sponsored insurance.
- Fewer health plans reported two or more months of days in reserve during the first half of 2009.
- Hospital operating margins improved while non-operating margins continued to decline during the first three quarters of hospital fiscal year 2009.
Also worth checking out is the new report by former Medicaid director Beth Waldman, looking how the Massachusetts model was successful in covering children and familes.
The report is an important consideration in the ongoing issue in Washington regarding whether or not to fold the CHIP program into the private insurance exchanges. The study finds that Massachusetts achieved family coverage by building on existing coverage systems, including CHIP, and streamlining enrollment processes. The most important component is that every family member has coverage, not that the coverage is provided by the same insurer.
This is another example of how the Massachusetts experience informs national reform.
– Suzanne Curry
Suzanne Curry
