Category Archives: Public Health

Everything related to improving the health of populations.

Senate Budget Debate Starts Wednesday – Here’s Our Amendment Recommendations

Posted on May 21, 2013 by

Tomorrow the state Senate will begin debating its version of the state budget for fiscal year 2014, which begins on July 1. Like the House budget did, the Senate Ways and Means version starts out with a strong commitment to … Continue reading →

Posted in budget, Children's Health, Children's Mental Health, Health Disparities, MA Health Reform, MassHealth/Medicaid, National Health Reform, Oral Health, Prescription Drug Reform, Public Health, Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities | Leave a comment

People With Disabilities And Others: Please Fill Out This Survey From Mass DPH

Posted on May 6, 2013 by

[From Mass DPH:] Help influence health care in Massachusetts. The Health and Disability Program, part of Office of Health Equity at the MA Department of Public Health (DPH) is conducting a health needs survey for people with disabilities in Massachusetts. … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality, Public Health, Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities | 2 Comments

Wellness Plan Tax Break Advances

Posted on January 10, 2013 by

The Public Health Council at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health today voted in favor of an emergency regulation to enact a tax credit incentive for small businesses which create wellness plans for their employees. In encouraging preventative health measures … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Cost Control, Public Health | Leave a comment

Elizabeth Warren Named to US Senate Health Committee

Posted on December 12, 2012 by

Today the US Senate majority Democrats announced their committee assignments for the next Congress. While lots of attention was heaped on the appointment of Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren to the Banking Committee, we were thrilled to learn that she also … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Politics, National Health Reform, Private Market, Public Health | Leave a comment

MPHA Conference: Celebrating and Moving Ahead

Posted on November 16, 2012 by

The Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA) held its annual conference in Westborough today. Lots of happenings, so I’ll just hit the high notes. This was the first major public event for MPHA’s new Executive Director, Toby Fisher. Toby is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Public Health | Leave a comment

T-Minus 1 Week: Payment Reform and Prescription Abuse Bills Waiting Action

Posted on July 24, 2012 by

With one week to go and around 4 formal session left in the legislative cycle, it’s not yet time to haul out The Final Countdown. But it’s getting close. Two key bills await action – the comprehensive delivery system reform … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Cost Control, Public Health | Leave a comment

T-Minus 3 Weeks: All Eyes On Payment Reform Conference Committee. Here’s Some Of Our Priorities.

Posted on July 10, 2012 by

Today marks three weeks until the final day of formal legislative sessions, July 31 of even-numbered years. On July 31, 2010, the legislature enacted a major health care bill. On July 31, 2008, the legislature enacted a major health reform … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality, Healthcare Cost Control, Public Health | 2 Comments

Stay Healthy, My Friends – Join us Thursday at State House

Posted on April 10, 2012 by

The most interesting advocates in the world are gathering together at the State House to call for meaningful investment in public health and prevention as a part of payment reform. Civic leaders from around the state are coming and we’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Cost Control, Public Health | 1 Comment

Mayor Menino: Health care vs. sick care: Why prevention is essential to payment reform

Posted on April 3, 2012 by

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Boston Public Health Commission board chair Dr. Paula Johnson have long been stalwart champions of public health. In a new Boston Globe online op-ed, they lay out the case for substantial, sustained investment in prevention. … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare Cost Control, Public Health | Leave a comment

One-Two From Patrick Adminstration

Posted on January 26, 2012 by

This week the Patrick administration reaffirmed its commitment to health care in the Commonwealth. First, the Governor’s State of the Commonwealth speech focused on payment and delivery system reforms that will stem the rising costs of health care: The market … Continue reading →

Posted in budget, Healthcare Cost Control, MA Health Reform, MassHealth/Medicaid, Oral Health, Public Health | 1 Comment