Monthly Archives: May 2010

He said, she said

Posted on May 28, 2010 by

On Monday, the Boston Globe reported that for the first time in quite a while, insurance carriers are trying to reduce or cut rate hikes to providers.  The carriers have asked many hospitals and large physician groups to negotiate these lower … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | Leave a comment

Join us in the Fight to Restore MassHealth Dental!

Posted on May 28, 2010 by

As the Senate finished their budget debate at 2:45 this morning, all amendments that included a significant amount of money were eliminated, including Senator Chandler’s amendment to protect MassHealth adult dental benefits. Advocates for oral health put up a fantastic … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral Health | 6 Comments

Thank you Senate for upholding pharma gifts ban

Posted on May 28, 2010 by

As the dust settles around the Senate’s budget, we want to extend our deep appreciation to the Senate for defeating amendment 291.  Late last night, Senators Chandler, Montigny and Moore eloquently and passionately defended the state’s ban on pharma industry marketing … Continue reading →

Posted in Prescription Drug Reform | Leave a comment

AARP Alert: Seniors’ Prescriptions; MassHealth Dental Benefits at Risk

Posted on May 26, 2010 by

Deborah Banda, State Director of AARP Massachusetts sent over their latest alert, which we fully endorse: As the Massachusetts Senate begins its debate on the Fiscal Year 2011 state budget, Senators need to hear from you. At risk: Funding that … Continue reading →

Posted in budget, MassHealth/Medicaid, Oral Health, Prescription Drug Reform | Leave a comment

Senate Begins Budget Debate

Posted on May 26, 2010 by

The Senate begins debating the FY 2011 budget today, with hundreds of amendments (772, to be precise) to consider. HCFA has worked with Senators on a number of vital amendments to maintain our progress on health care. While state revenues … Continue reading →

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Mass Senate Seeks a New Scapegoat

Posted on May 25, 2010 by

[Our guest post below is by Frank Soults at our HCFA partner, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition. The MIRA Coalition will be holding a press conference on Wednesday, May 26, at 9:15 a.m. in State House Room 437, to … Continue reading →

Posted in budget, MassHealth/Medicaid | 3 Comments

Close the Tobacco “Candy” Loophole

Posted on May 24, 2010 by

Today’s guest blog post is by HCFA partner Russet Morrow Breslau, Executive Director, Tobacco Free Mass: In 2008, the state increased the cigarette tax by $1 per pack, to a total of $2.51. But the tax on kid-friendly, inexpensive other … Continue reading →

Posted in Public Health | 3 Comments

HCFA Fights For Dental Care – You Can Too

Posted on May 23, 2010 by

Last week, HCFA delivered thousands of messages to the Senate urging support for a budget amendment to preserve MassHealth adult dental care. The slides above show a crew from the Affordable Care Today!! coalition and the Oral Health Advocacy Task … Continue reading →

Posted in MassHealth/Medicaid, Oral Health | 7 Comments

Where DHCFP is Going

Posted on May 20, 2010 by

Division of Health Care Finance and Policy Commissioner David Morales posted a must-read blog entry today, Transforming the Health Care Delivery System: Promoting Transparency, Integration, and Wellness. In the post, Commissioner Morales lays out the key goals of the agency, … Continue reading →

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

Senate Unveils Budget

Posted on May 19, 2010 by

The Senate Ways and Means proposed budget was released on Wednesday. You can read the bill and Committee supporting materials; as always, the instant analysis from the Mass Budget & Policy Center best summarizes the proposal; and here’s our statement. … Continue reading →

Posted in budget | Leave a comment