Monthly Archives: May 2011

Responding to Patient’s Needs — Stat

Posted on May 31, 2011 by

Today’s NY Times includes an article about hospitals’ efforts to improve response time when a patient presses the call button. The article gives some specific examples of times when patients did not get a response and also discusses how small … Continue reading →

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Dispatches from our Community Organizers: Memorial Day Edition

Posted on May 27, 2011 by

Word is getting out! Health care is complex. But not too complex for advocacy groups throughout the state who are putting on their thinking caps about how to improve care, while reducing health care spending and waste. This week, Ari … Continue reading →

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Transparency Rules!

Posted on May 27, 2011 by

Today the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy issued critical two reports in preparation for the grueling “health policy boot camp” scheduled for the last 4 days in June (see DHCFP press release). The reports highlight the value of … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Cost Control | 2 Comments

Senate Budget Day 2 – Getting to the Good Stuff

Posted on May 27, 2011 by

As the Senate winds down it’s work for the second (and probably last day) of debate on the FY 2012 State Budget, we can look back and take stock of how some key health issues made out. Children’s Mental Health … Continue reading →

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Quality Updates: Checklists Now Law in Nevada and Steward Posts Quality Data

Posted on May 26, 2011 by

The Governor of Nevada signed into law a bill requiring hospitals to use checklists for treatment and other care processes. The statute is not specific about what checklists should be used but does mention that checklists should be developed for … Continue reading →

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FY 2012 Senate Budget Debate – Day 1

Posted on May 26, 2011 by

As the Senate begins to wrap up day 1 of the FY 2012 Budget debate, a quick recap. Anyone who wasn’t in the gallery (or watching online) at 10 this morning missed quite a performance of the National Anthem by … Continue reading →

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MA Kids Dental Programs Move to the Head of the Class!

Posted on May 25, 2011 by

More than five years after filing a lawsuit against the state, HCFA and the Oral Health Advocacy Taskforce (OHAT) are happy to announce today that Massachusetts’ children’s dental programs have been given an ‘A’ by the Pew Children’s Dental Campaign. … Continue reading →

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Senate Budget Update and Amendment Guide

Posted on May 24, 2011 by

Tomorrow (Wednesday), the state Senate takes up its version of the budget for fiscal year 2012. Today, the Mass Medicaid Policy Institute issued its analysis (pdf) of the Senate budget proposal for MassHealth and other health care programs. Highlights: There … Continue reading →

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Quality and Cost Council Meets on Thursday

Posted on May 24, 2011 by

The Health Care Quality and Cost Council is meeting this Thursday, May 26, 1-3pm, at 1 Ashburton Place, 21st floor. See the agenda here . Topics to be covered include committee updates, introduction of new QCC members and discussion of … Continue reading →

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Why Drug Coupons Are A Bad Deal For Massachusetts – Audio Version

Posted on May 22, 2011 by

This weeks Senate budget debate will include two amendments to allow pharma industry marketing of “coupons” for brand name drugs – amendments 503 by Senator Michael Moore, and 446, sponsored by Senator Tarr and three other Republicans. A similar provision … Continue reading →

Posted in Prescription Drug Reform | 2 Comments