Monthly Archives: April 2011

Let’s make them see R.E.D. on Tuesday!

Posted on April 29, 2011 by

Restore Essential Dental Benefits for Mass Residents Oral health is full body health. So, why would Massachusetts – the state that pioneered universal healthcare for all residents – slash dental benefits for those that need it most? The answer is … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral Health | 1 Comment

Well, this is scary

Posted on April 29, 2011 by

Senator Brown should know that the “GOP Plan to Cut Medicaid Spending” is a dagger aimed right at Massachusetts. Here’s our analysis from a few weeks ago: Deep cuts would be made to both the Medicaid funds Massachusetts is expecting … Continue reading →

Posted in MassHealth/Medicaid, National Health Reform | 2 Comments

Did the House of Representatives Think They Could Quietly Vote to Repeal the Gift Ban?

Posted on April 29, 2011 by

Did members of the House of Representatives think no one would notice when they vote to repeal a popular law? The reaction to the House vote to repeal the 2008 law banning most gifts to prescribers from drug and device … Continue reading →

Posted in Prescription Drug Reform | 3 Comments

House Restores Funding for CommCare Bridge

Posted on April 28, 2011 by

Last night, the House voted in favor of the consolidated Health & Human Services amendment, which included $25 million for Commonwealth Care Bridge, the health coverage program for legal immigrants who were denied Commonwealth Care coverage beginning in the summer … Continue reading →

Posted in budget, HCFA | Leave a comment

Meet Boston Young Healthcare Professionals: Connecting the Next Generation of Healthcare Leaders

Posted on April 28, 2011 by

[Note: this is a guest post by Jessica R. Hamilton, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Boston Young Healthcare Professionals & former HCFA staffer] We all know Massachusetts is a state of innovation and firsts. But nothing tops our state’s list of … Continue reading →

Posted in Events | Leave a comment

House Budget: Good News/Bad News/Good News

Posted on April 27, 2011 by

Some items from day 2 of the House budget debate and votes on amendments: Good News: A strong group of dental students and advocates gathered this afternoon at the State House to speak up for oral health. In just under … Continue reading →

Posted in budget, Prescription Drug Reform, Public Health | Leave a comment

HCFA Welcomes Dr. Biondolillo as Director of Safety and Quality at DPH

Posted on April 25, 2011 by

The new Director of the Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality, Dr. Madeleine Biondolillo, is stepping into her new role today. Dr. Alice Bonner, the previous Director, left in February to take a position at the Centers for Medicare … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | Leave a comment

Community Connect to Research: Linking You to the World of Health Information and Research

Posted on April 25, 2011 by

In order to make informed health care decisions patients and consumers need access to reliable information. While many consumers turn to the internet for answers to their health questions, it can be difficult to know which websites to trust. Connect … Continue reading →

Posted in HCFA, Resources | 1 Comment

Another Dispatch from Our Community Organizers!

Posted on April 25, 2011 by

Whole Body! Whole Budget! It’s about that time of year again—flowers are blooming, days are getting longer, and health activists are donning their armor and preparing their testimonies to bring to budget hearings next month. This week, Ari and I … Continue reading →

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House Begins Budget Debate – Call Your Representative to Protect Our Health

Posted on April 25, 2011 by

If it’s the week after April school vacation, then this is the week for the Massachusetts House to consider amendments to its version of the budget for the next fiscal year (resources: comprehensive House budget summary from Mass Budget and … Continue reading →

Posted in budget | Leave a comment