EOHHS

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Health & Human Services (EOHHS) is the largest secretariat in the commonwealth, responsible for the Medicaid program, child welfare, public health, disabilities, veterans’ affairs, and elder affairs. Under the direction of the Secretary of Health & Human Services, EOHHS oversees the numerous state agencies involved in providing services to these populations in Massachusetts. MHA represents its members’ interests before these agencies and with the secretariat itself, educating and advocating on matters of vital importance to hospitals, health systems, and other care providers.
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."
02.03.2020  | CMS Unveils Medicaid Block Grant Proposal; Critics Pounce
The Trump Administration unveiled its newest version of Medicaid block grants last Thursday –a proposal it calls “Healthy Adult Opportunity.”
01.20.2020  | A Chance to Comment on Duplicative Healthcare Measures
MHA is encouraging its membership to weigh in on recommendations for possible changes to the 2021 state Aligned Measure Set.
12.23.2019  | MHA to MassHealth: Use Caution When Targeting 340B Drugs
The Executive Office of Health & Human Services has released proposed regulations that would give MassHealth the authority to designate and exclude from MassHealth coverage high-cost drugs that are purchased under the 340B program.
12.09.2019  | EOHHS Proposed Rx Rule Raises Concern
The Executive Office of Health & Human Services has issued draft regulations governing pharmacy services delivered to MassHealth patients.
11.25.2019  | How Would You Improve the Behavioral Health System?
The state wants to improve the ambulatory behavioral health system and is asking the healthcare sector and the public for ideas on how to make it happen.
11.18.2019  | State Unveils Coordinated Plan to Ease ED Boarding
A new Expedited Psychiatric Inpatient Admissions Policy, or EPIA 2.0, builds on the original EPIA that was released in February 2018.
10.14.2019  | State Releases 2020 MassHealth Contract
The state has released the 2020 RFA – the main contract between the MassHealth program and acute care hospitals serving Medicaid patients.
09.09.2019  | The New State-Hospital Medicaid Contract is Delayed One Month
MassHealth has extended the acute hospital 2019 RFA one additional month through October 31, 2019.
09.09.2019  | MHA’s Noga Selected for State Quality Measure Taskforce
MHA’s VP of Clinical Affairs Patricia Noga, R.N., PhD, has been selected to serve on the Executive Office of Health & Human Services Quality Measure Alignment Taskforce.
09.02.2019  | State Proposes Tweaking Health Safety Net Regulations
The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) has issued proposed changes to the two regulations governing Health Safety Net (HSN) eligibility and payments.
04.22.2019  | MHA to House: Solidify Safety Net Funding, Addiction Treatment
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.
04.08.2019  | State Leaders Weigh in with the Feds on Opioid Issues
Despite the progress in Massachusetts fighting opioid use, the healthcare community and state political leaders are not letting up on the issue.
02.25.2019  | State Government, Hospitals Address SUD Step by Step
Several new Massachusetts policies are aiding the collective fight against the opioid epidemic.
02.18.2019  | Duals Program Due for Changes (But Concerns Remain)
The state’s bold experiment with its dual eligible programs is getting some revisions, while raising some concerns among hospitals and physicians.
01.28.2019  | Baker Files FY20 Budget Proposal; Eyes Tax on Opioids
Governor Charlie Baker last Wednesday released a $42.7 billion FY2020 state budget proposal that among other things maintains level MassHealth provider reimbursement rates,
01.21.2019  | New Study Makes Recommendations to Address Clinician Burnout
A new paper released last week has raised the alarm on the pervasive problem of physician burnout.
01.21.2019  | MHA Voices Concern About MassHealth Reimbursement Policy
In a letter to CMS last week, MHA urged the federal agency to reconsider rules regarding how Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) direct payments to providers.
12.24.2018  | Some Things to Expect in 2019
As 2019 begins, here are a few key developments that should occur.
11.05.2018  | Dozens of Reasons to Oppose Question 1 (And We Could Have Added More)
Care is fluid and ever-changing and should not be determined by a rigid number arrived at through popular vote. Vote NO on 1.

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:
Click on the links below for easy access to information on important federal healthcare matters and MHA’s advocacy, outreach and other work on these issues.

Both of these include links to members list, committees, and legislation and records.