Monthly Archives: April 2010

What is the Health of Massachusetts?

Posted on April 20, 2010 by

The Department of Public Health has released the Health of Massachusetts report – a report that looks at the overall health of the state.  Congratulations to Commissioner Auerbach and his staff for putting together a comprehensive report that covers disparities … Continue reading →

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Insurance Availability Update

Posted on April 16, 2010 by

In what will hopefully not become a recurring theme on our blog, we provide you with the weekly status update of private insurance availability for individuals and small businesses. As best we can tell: The Health Connector is now selling … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | Leave a comment

Happy National Healthcare Decisions Day!

Posted on April 16, 2010 by

You probably didn’t know it, but today is National Healthcare Decisions Day. National Healthcare Decisions Day is a day dedicated to informing the public about health care proxies, living wills, and other issues related to making decisions about end-of-life care. … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | 1 Comment

Legislators stand up for oral health: Dental insurance is health insurance

Posted on April 16, 2010 by

The House Ways & Means budget calls for cuts to MassHealth adult dental benefits that would eliminate restorative services for the 700,000 adults on MassHealth. This proposal to cut crucial oral health services for adults on MassHealth will lead to … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral Health | 4 Comments

An Important New Acronym: APCD

Posted on April 15, 2010 by

APCD stands for all payer claims database, a central database with every inpatient, outpatient, pharmacy, and dental claim from health plans (insured and self-insured), Medicare, and Medicaid. Under chapter 305, the 2008 health quality and cost law, DHCFP is authorized … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality, Healthcare Cost Control | 4 Comments

Changing of the Guard

Posted on April 15, 2010 by

Health Care For All says a fond farewell to Jon Kingsdale, Executive Director of the Connector Board. His June departure was announced today. Jon, thank you for your remarkable leadership of health reform implementation and the Connector. Through challenging times, … Continue reading →

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State House Events Brings Attention to Health Care Quality

Posted on April 15, 2010 by

Health Care For All and the Consumer Health Quality Council coordinated a State House event today with a focus on health care quality. The event was timed to coincide with this week’s release of the new public reports on Serious … Continue reading →

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Happy Tax Day! Individual Mandate A Non-Barking Dog, Again

Posted on April 15, 2010 by

Happy Tax Day! While the rest of the world is scrambling to fill in last minute blanks on their tax returns, the Helpline has been well… more relaxed than usual. We prepared ourselves for the flood of calls during tax … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | 2 Comments

Senate President Doubles Down on Premium Relief, Payment Reform

Posted on April 14, 2010 by

At a packed Boston Chamber of Commerce event this morning, Senate President Therese Murray issued her call for both legislation to provide real short-term premium relief to individuals and small business, and for comprehensive payment reform to address long-term issues. … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Cost Control | 1 Comment

Reports Issued on SREs and HAIs – Learn More at an Event Thursday

Posted on April 14, 2010 by

The Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality today released two new reports on Serious Reportable Events (SREs) and Healthcare-associated Infections (HAIs) in Massachusetts. Chapter 305, the 2008 cost and quality law, mandates these annual reports. … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | 1 Comment