State Budget

The Massachusetts House, Senate and Joint Ways & Means Committees consider all matters relating to the finances of the Commonwealth. MHA educates, collaborates and otherwise works with members of these committees, and advocates on behalf of MHA members, to address state funding issues of concern to the hospital, health system, and healthcare provider communities.  The association closely monitors the state budget process throughout the legislative session.

Governor’s Budget Bill: Medicaid Rates Hold Steady

Posted on 1/27/2020
Governor Charlie Baker released his proposed FY 2021 state budget last week, and it contains, for the second year in a row, an update to MassHealth spending of less than 1%.

Holidays Are Over; Timelines for (Some) Action Are Set

Posted on 1/13/2020
Now that 2020 is here, the healthcare regulatory and legislative mechanisms are operating quickly.

Baker’s Supplemental Budget: Funding for Safety Net Hospitals

Posted on 1/13/2020
Governor Charlie Baker submitted to the legislature a $74.2 million supplemental budget for the current state fiscal year 2020.

Baker Signs $43.3 Billion Budget, Issues No Spending Vetoes

Posted on 8/5/2019
Last Wednesday, Governor Charlie Baker signed a $43.3 billion FY2020 state budget, and did not issue a single spending veto.

The FY2020 State Budget

Posted on 7/29/2019
The Fiscal Year 2020 budget is now on Governor Charlie Baker’s desk, after the Legislature kicked off its work week last Monday by passing a $43.1 billion package.

Baker Administration Provides Funding for Health Safety Net in FY2019

Posted on 7/29/2019
Last year’s FY2019 state budget provided for the transfer of up to $15 million in state funding to the Health Safety Net. This month, the Baker Administration fulfilled that transfer.

Senate Passes Two Amendments to Assist in Opioid Fight

Posted on 5/27/2019
The State Senate in the course of debating its version of the FY2020 state budget last week passed two MHA priority amendments that will assist in the fight against the opioid epidemic.

State Senate Debate Begins Tomorrow

Posted on 5/20/2019
The State Senate begins debate tomorrow on the Senate Ways & Means proposed state budget for FY2020 and the 1,100-plus amendments to it that have been filed.

Another Attempt at Ratio Plan 70% of Voters Rejected

Posted on 5/13/2019
The MNA tried to insert into the House budget an amendment that would re-open the door on the scientifically unsound ratio scheme and ultimately impose ratios on hospitals.

MHA Asks Senate to Focus on Safety Net & Safety Net Providers

Posted on 5/13/2019
As debate on the Massachusetts Senate’s proposed FY 2020 state budget begins next Tuesday, hospitals are urging senators to provide some needed relief to hospitals serving large populations of Medicaid patients.

Senate Proposed Budget Due Tomorrow

Posted on 5/6/2019
On Tuesday, the Senate is expected to release its proposed budget, with amendments to it due by Friday, May 10.

MHA to House: Solidify Safety Net Funding, Addiction Treatment

Posted on 4/22/2019
The Massachusetts House of Representatives today begins debate on the proposed FY2020 state budget, and the nearly 1,400 amendments to it that have been filed.

House Releases $42.7 Billion Budget

Posted on 4/15/2019
The House Ways & Means Committee last Wednesday released its FY2020 $42.7 billion proposed state budget.

Safety Net Funding for Uninsured in Doubt

Posted on 4/15/2019
MHA will be working with legislative champions in the House to strengthen the FY2020 budget directive in a manner that will ensure the administration fulfills the $15 million transfer to the Health Safety Net.

MHA Submits Budget Priorities to Legislative Leaders

Posted on 3/11/2019
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.

Baker Files FY20 Budget Proposal; Eyes Tax on Opioids

Posted on 1/28/2019
Governor Charlie Baker last Wednesday released a $42.7 billion FY2020 state budget proposal that among other things maintains level MassHealth provider reimbursement rates,

Budget Leaders Set Limit that Influences Healthcare Benchmark

Posted on 1/7/2019
Each year the leaders of the Massachusetts House and Senate Ways and Means Committees meet with the Administration and Finance Secretary to come up with their assumption of how much state revenues will increase in the coming year.

Some Things to Expect in 2019

Posted on 12/24/2018
As 2019 begins, here are a few key developments that should occur.

Governor Signs Budget and Tobacco Bill

Posted on 7/30/2018
Last Thursday, Governor Charlie Baker signed the $41.7 billion FY19 state budget.

Proposed State Budget Passes Legislature, Sent to Governor

Posted on 7/23/2018
The Massachusetts Legislature approved a $41.88 billion FY2019 state budget last Wednesday and sent it to Governor Baker.

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: