ACO/Integrated Care

Issues surrounding the three-part mission of clinical care, research and education.

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  | That Big-Company-Created Healthcare Entity Has a Name- Haven
The healthcare-influencing entity created by Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, and JPMorgan Chase has named itself Haven.
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.
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.
02.11.2019  | A $50 Million Gift; New Hospital; New Building; New Affiliation
Hospitals and health systems reported gifts, new facilities, planned expansions.
01.28.2019  | What to Expect in the Federal Healthcare Arena
The American Hospital Association (AHA) last week laid out its 2019 public policy agenda.
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.
12.17.2018  | Hospitals, Health System Beat Cost Benchmark (by a Wide Margin)
The 1.6% total healthcare spending growth rate in Massachusetts was well below the national rate.
12.10.2018  | Employer Group to Focus on ED Utilization
The Massachusetts Employer Health Coalition holds its kickoff breakfast meeting tomorrow at The University of Massachusetts Club in Boston.
12.03.2018  | Beth Israel Lahey Health Gets State & Federal Approval for Merger
Perhaps the largest and most complex healthcare merger in state history is all but final after Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey’s office ok'd the merger with conditions.
11.19.2018  | Additional Primary Practices in Central/Western Mass. Join ACOs
The sweeping MassHealth Accountable Care Organization (ACO) program just got a little larger.
11.12.2018  | Question 1 Defeated; Focus Returns to Host of Issues
By a 70-30 vote, Massachusetts communities in last week’s election rejected ballot Question 1.
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.
10.22.2018  | HPC Impartial Review of Mandated Ratios Paints Bleak Picture
The state’s HPC devoted part of its two-day cost trend hearing last week to the Question 1 ballot issue, adding new insight into the staffing mandate’s costs, and more.
10.15.2018  | Health Council Sets Further Conditions on BIDMC-Lahey Deal
The Massachusetts Public Health Council last week weighed in on the proposed Beth Israel Deaconess-Lahey merger.
10.08.2018  | Group After Group Outlines Destabilizing Effects of Mandated Ratios
A majority of stakeholders identified to the HPC that proposed mandatory nurse staffing ratios are a top area of concern.
10.08.2018  | Transition
Norm Deschene, the CEO of Wellforce, announced last week that he intends to retire at the end of 2018.
10.01.2018  | HPC on BID-Lahey Merger: AG Review Needed
The HPC has released its final report on the proposed large merger of hospitals and physician practices that would be known as Beth Israel Lahey Health.
08.06.2018  | State Report Shows Hospitals are Skating on Thin Ice
The state has released Massachusetts hospital financial performance data for all of 2017 and the picture is not at all rosy.

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:
MHA has also developed the following documents for your information and benefit: