Healthcare Financing

The Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Healthcare Financing considers matters relating to the direct funding of healthcare programs and any other Medicaid or public health assistance matters, fiscal matters relating to healthcare policy, Medicaid, MassHealth, the Uncompensated Care Pool and other related matters. Government underfunding for delivered healthcare services has long been a concern, and MHA is extremely active before this committee, meeting with, educating and engaging committee members to ensure the voice of the hospital, health system, and other healthcare provider community is heard during consideration of legislation moving through this committee. 
02.17.2020  | Senate Passes Mental Health Parity Bill
The Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed a sweeping mental health reform bill last Thursday that takes a large step towards "parity."
10.14.2019  | A Ready-Made Solution to the Nursing Shortage
Legislation pending in the State House would quickly increase the supply of well-qualified nurses who would first have to undergo rigorous background checks, and then make the nurses available to fill vacancies in underserved areas.
09.23.2019  | Fighting Obesity Through a Sugary Soda Tax
The Coalition for Action on Obesity – of which MHA is a member – recognized National Obesity Care Week last Wednesday with a presentation at the State House and release of a white paper .
08.05.2019  | Baker Signs $43.3 Billion Budget, Issues No Spending Vetoes
Last Wednesday, Governor Charlie Baker signed a $43.3 billion FY2020 state budget, and did not issue a single spending veto.
08.05.2019  | House Passes Comprehensive Children’s Health Bill
The Massachusetts House last Wednesday passed the Children’s Health & Wellness Act, which identified pain points and recommended solutions for issues, including creation of accurate and easily accessible health plan provider directories.
05.06.2019  | Legislature in Full Swing with Healthcare Hearings, Bills
A series of committees with jurisdiction over the healthcare sector are holding hearings on Tuesday – and each has a slew of bills of interest to hospitals.
03.18.2019  | Hospitals on Board With 3.1% Benchmark – With Caveats
The Health Policy Commission in coming months is scheduled to decide on whether the state’s healthcare cost growth benchmark – currently set at 3.1% – should remain at that level.
03.11.2019  | MHA Submits Budget Priorities to Legislative Leaders
As the Massachusetts House and Senate begin to construct their FY2020 budget proposals, MHA, in consultation with its members, is calling attention to a series of priorities.
03.04.2019  | Drug Prices in the Spotlight
The 2018 Cost Trends Report from the Health Policy Commission released last month showed the persistent growth in prescription drug spending over the state’s healthcare cost growth benchmark.
06.25.2018  | House Healthcare Bill Includes Help for Hospitals
A conference committee will now attempt to resolve differences between the House bill and legislation from the Senate passed last year.
06.18.2018  | Mass. House Releases Major Healthcare Overhaul
The Massachusetts House of Representatives could begin consideration as early as tomorrow on a massive healthcare reform bill.
06.11.2018  | DeLeo Indicates House Healthcare Reform Bill Due this Month
The State House News last week quoted House Speaker Bob DeLeo as saying he expects a House healthcare cost-control bill on the floor by the end of June.
10.23.2017  | SB1682 An Act Providing For 3rd Party Expert Evaluation of Scope of Practice Legislation
SB1682 An Act Providing For 3rd Party Expert Evaluation of Scope of Practice Legislation
09.13.2017  | SB626, SB624, HB601, HB2452-SB658, HB608, HB2224 Primary Care, Behavioral & Mental Health ...
The Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA) appreciates the opportunity to submit comments on the following bills regarding primary care, behavioral and mental health and professional practice.
08.08.2017  | SB174 An Act Establishing the Licensure of Interpreters and Oral Transliterators for the Deaf
MHA appreciates the opportunity to submit comments in strong opposition to SB174, “An Act Establishing the Licensure of Interpreters and Oral Transliterators for the Deaf.”
07.31.2017  | MHA Urges Collective Effort on MassHealth
Governor Baker’s MassHealth reform package, which he coupled with an increase in the per-worker assessment employers pay, suffered a setback last week.
07.24.2017  | Transitions in State Government
The following legislative and administration re-assignments this past week affect the healthcare community.
07.11.2017  | An Act to Promote Transparency in Prescription Drug Price
MHA appreciates the opportunity to submit comments in strong support of SB627, “An Act to Promote Transparency in Prescription Drug Prices.
06.06.2017  | Market Performance & Oversight and Health Funds & Assessments
MHA appreciates this opportunity to offer comments on bills that address market performance and oversight of the healthcare entities and the assessment of funding to provide financial support for the healthcare system.
05.02.2017  | An Act Restoring Affordable Health Connector Coverage
The Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA), on behalf of our member hospitals, health systems, physician organizations and allied health care providers, appreciates the opportunity to submit comments in strong support of HB592 / SB630.

Resources

Click on the links below for easy access to important information related to state healthcare issues and advocacy.


Visit the Commonwealth of Massachusetts websites below to find information on legislative hearings and other meetings of interest to the healthcare community.


To guide your navigation of the legislative process and assist your advocacy efforts, please visit the following state websites: