Monthly Archives: February 2013

Connector Board Looks at Risk and Regulations

Posted on February 28, 2013 by

The Connector Board met this morning to discuss: Customer service and business operations procurement Risk adjustment update and “3R” consultant contract extension Chapter 224 omnibus regulations transfer Materials from the meeting are here, and our full report is below the … Continue reading →

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Non-Profit Network Holds Budget and Revenue Forums

Posted on February 28, 2013 by

The Mass Nonprofit Network is starting a series of forums this week to look at the state budget and the need for new revenue. The first forum is in Westborough for the Metrowest and central regions, and will be held … Continue reading →

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Administration Releases Overdue Report On Employers With Workers On Public Health Programs

Posted on February 25, 2013 by

Friday afternoon, the Center For Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) quietly released their annual “Employers Who Had Fifty Or More Employees Using MassHealth, Commonwealth Care, or the Health Safety Net in State Fiscal Year 2010” report, also known as the … Continue reading →

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Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Brief Details Gov’s Health Spending Plan

Posted on February 22, 2013 by

How does one follow the complex state budget process? As they did last year, the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute (MMPI) will be issuing budget summaries produced by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center in partnership with the Massachusetts Law Reform … Continue reading →

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Mass Receives Federal Innovation Grant To Advance Payment Reform

Posted on February 21, 2013 by

The federal CMS announced today that Massachusetts is one of 6 states awarded a State Innovation Models initiative grant (press release, and grant information). The Massachusetts award is for a not shabby $44 million. The grant program is part of … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Cost Control, National Health Reform | Leave a comment

Widmer and Lord Bring Mass Health Reform Lessons To Michigan

Posted on February 19, 2013 by

Last week, the University of Michigan’s Center for Healthcare Research and Transformation brought together key business leaders from Massachusetts and Michigan and experts from the University of Michigan to explore lessons from Massachusetts’ experience with health reform and what may … Continue reading →

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Planning Underway for Connector Version 2.0

Posted on February 15, 2013 by

The Health Connector is holding steady as they prepare for full implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Yesterday, the Connector Board voted on the draft 2013 Affordability Schedule, approved plans for the FY2014 Commonwealth Care renewal, and officially launched … Continue reading →

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Esquire: The Man Who Killed Osama bin Laden… Is Screwed (Updated)

Posted on February 12, 2013 by

Last September we wrote about the crisis of uninsured veterans. A national study we helped with found that 1 in 10 veterans are uninsured (for more statistics, see this amazing graphic, excerpted below): This was brought home today in an … Continue reading →

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A Blizzard of Health Data from CHIA

Posted on February 8, 2013 by

As you hunker down for the storm, it’s a good time to catch up with some new health data falling down on us. The Center For Health Information and Analysis (CHIA, née DHCFP) issued its Massachusetts Health Insurance Survey and … Continue reading →

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“Patient ‘Activation’ Cuts Costs (and Produces Better Outcomes)

Posted on February 6, 2013 by

Are you an “activated” patient?  A new study suggests that involving patients more deeply in their treatment decisions – an approach known as “patient activation” – is correlated with lower costs and better outcomes. Researchers considered data from a Minnesota … Continue reading →

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