Monthly Archives: October 2010

The Health Care Case Against Question 3

Posted on October 29, 2010 by

As the video above says, Question 3 on the Massachusetts ballot next week would cut the state sales tax, devastating health care programs. Health Care For All urges a no vote on the Question 3 (and Question 1). An analysis … Continue reading →

Posted in MassHealth/Medicaid, Public Health, Revenue | 1 Comment

Too Acute?

Posted on October 27, 2010 by

If the scenario sounds like a nightmare, it’s only because it is one. Imagine you are the parent of a child with significant mental health needs. One night, your child tells you that he is hearing voices. Soon thereafter, he … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Mental Health | Leave a comment

Podcast on PFACs

Posted on October 26, 2010 by

Deb Wachenheim, HCFA’s Health Quality Manager, was interviewed recently by Helen Osborne, a health literacy expert, about Patient and Family Advisory Councils-what they are, how they can make a difference in health care, and how HCFA and the Consumer Health … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | 1 Comment

“How should we talk about oral health?”

Posted on October 26, 2010 by

“How should we talk about oral health?” This Thursday in Hyannis! Oral health IS health. We want your opinions to help shape a new campaign focused on improving access to critical oral health care, including restoring full MassHealth benefits for … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral Health | 1 Comment

Gruber For The Defense

Posted on October 25, 2010 by

MIT economist and Connector Board members Jonathan Gruber uses the Massachusetts experience to provide two smart, analytic defenses of health reform. Both columns appeared on the Citizen Cohn blog at The New Republic. In A Health Reform Critic Flunks Math, … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform, National Health Reform | 2 Comments

Getting to Better Care: Halloween edition

Posted on October 24, 2010 by

In this installment of our Getting to Better Care roundup (see past entries on the HCFA website), we feature some good news, some updates and (as always) a little bit of fun: Massachusetts Medical Society released its ninth annual Physician … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Cost Control | Leave a comment

MassHealth Recognized For Reducing Paperwork Burden to Keep Kids Enrolled

Posted on October 21, 2010 by

The Maximizing Enrollment for Kids program works with states to encourage the enrollment and retention of eligible children in Medicaid and CHIP and establish and promote best practices among 8 states, including Massachusetts. The program, funded by the Robert Wood … Continue reading →

Posted in MassHealth/Medicaid | Leave a comment

Guest Post: Why Prescription Drugs are an Essential Health Benefit

Posted on October 20, 2010 by

This guest post is by Marc Hymovitz, Director of Government Relations and Advocacy for the American Cancer Society, New England Division. Marc has been a long-time leader in the ACT!! health reform coalition, and a strong advocate for comprehensive health … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality, MA Health Reform | 1 Comment

The Real Cost of Drug Company Payments to Physicians

Posted on October 20, 2010 by

The Boston Globe definitely got it right this morning in its editorial explaining how pharmaceutical company payments to “dodgy doctors” hurt the drug companies’ credibility: It’s ethically dubious whenever a drug company pays doctors to tout its products, for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Prescription Drug Reform | 1 Comment

Happiest Place on Earth Report (Updated)

Posted on October 20, 2010 by

Georgia Maheras, HCFA’s Private Market Policy Manager, is in Orlando this week as a consumer representative at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners fall meeting. She’s one of 28 designated consumer voices, competing with thousands of insurance industry lobbyists for … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Market, National Health Reform | 2 Comments