Monthly Archives: July 2011

Patient Safety Bill Advances

Posted on July 28, 2011 by

Good news for patients – and for those who want to improve care, and save costs: House 1519, “An Act reducing medical errors and improving patient safety,” (bill text, (pdf)) was reported out favorably today by the Committee on Public … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | Leave a comment

Want Lower Health Insurance Rates? Urge Senators to Preserve the Governor’s Vetoes.

Posted on July 28, 2011 by

Governor Patrick vetoed three sections in the Massachusetts FY 2012 budget to ensure the state has better control over escalating health care costs. Yesterday the House overrode the vetoes, and they will be coming up in the Senate soon, possibly … Continue reading →

Posted in Private Market | 1 Comment

Let Scott Brown Know What You Think

Posted on July 27, 2011 by

Last week, we called on Senator Scott Brown to come down on the side of protecting Medicaid and Medicare in the ongoing budget and debt fights. The Globe had reported that Senator Brown “hasn’t yet taken a firm position. ‘Senator … Continue reading →

Posted in MassHealth/Medicaid | Leave a comment

Why we need payment reform, reason number 36,050

Posted on July 25, 2011 by

We were working on a post about why we spend millions on cancer care, yet little on cancer prevention, and the pressures on physicians to increase costs at the expense of patients’ needs, when we came across this post by … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Cost Control | 1 Comment

Weekend Updates: Medicaid Rally, Immigrant Court Case, McDonough Book

Posted on July 24, 2011 by

1. Rally Calls on Senator Brown to Support Medicaid: Last week HCFA joined with 1199SEIU, the Boston Center For Independent Living and other groups to firmly call on Senator Brown to protect Medicaid in the debt ceiling and budget fights. … Continue reading →

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

Dispatch from our Community Organizers: What’s next?

Posted on July 22, 2011 by

Summer is setting in. Beaches are crowded on Saturdays. Ice cream lines are long. And Friday afternoon traffic out of the city is unbearable. But that isn’t slowing down our health care activists who are now, more than ever, pounding … Continue reading →

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Massachusetts Receives Failing Mark on Public Health Report Card

Posted on July 19, 2011 by

A report card (pdf) released today delivers some discouraging news about Massachusetts public health. The public health report card was developed by The Boston Foundation and NEHI as part of the Healthy People/Healthy Economy Coalition, and highlights areas of strengths … Continue reading →

Posted in Public Health | 2 Comments

Quality and Cost Council Meets Wednesday (Updated: corrected location)

Posted on July 18, 2011 by

The MA Health Care Quality and Cost Council is meeting this Wednesday, July 20, 1-3 pm, 1 Ashburton Place, 21st floor, Boston 1:15 – 2:45 pm, at the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, 2 Boylston St., 5th floor. … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | Leave a comment

Welcome to MassHealth, Dr. Harris

Posted on July 18, 2011 by

Today is a big day for MassHealth — Dr. Julian Harris begins his new job as Medicaid Director. He most recently treated patients at Southern Jamaica Community Health Center and Cambridge Health Alliance. Dr. Harris has a long list of … Continue reading →

Posted in MassHealth/Medicaid | Leave a comment

Connector Board Looks Back, Jumps Forward

Posted on July 15, 2011 by

Today’s Health Connector Board meeting focused on Health Connector accomplishments so far in FY 11, and Affordable Care Act Implementation progress in Massachusetts (materials). The Board Chair, Jay Gonzalez, began by updating the board that the Governor signed the FY … Continue reading →

Posted in HCFA | 1 Comment