ACO/Integrated Care

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

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  | MHA to CMS: Withdraw Drastic Proposed Medicaid Rule
MHA joins numerous organizations across the country, including AHA, in its criticism of of a new CMS Medicaid proposal.
10.28.2019  | Creating Paths to Sustainable Operating Margin, Mission, and Market Essentiality
This conference will look at effective current strategies for improved ROI across an enterprise.
10.28.2019  | The HPC’s Cost Trends Hearing
The state’s Health Policy Commission (HPC) held its annual cost trends hearing last Tuesday and Wednesday.
10.21.2019  | Governor Baker Lays Out Newest Health Reform Plan
Governor Charlie Baker last Friday introduced the latest legislative proposal to reform the state’s healthcare system.
08.12.2019  | WATCH: Telemedicine Keeps Kids in School
MHA recently spotlighted Heywood Healthcare’s Tele Behavioral School Based Counseling Program, which highlights the tremendous potential of telemedicine to reach patients who often lack access to care – in ways that fit their lifestyles.
06.03.2019  | Closure Bill Just Goes Too Far, Conflicts With Integrated Care Model
A bill relating to closure of hospital services just goes too far in what it requires, MHA says.
06.03.2019  | EOHHS Initiative Plans to Cut Through Behavioral Health Maze
Massachusetts Health & Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders has announced an initiative to improve access to ambulatory behavioral healthcare.
04.22.2019  | Medicare for All is NOT the Answer
Scrapping the entire current healthcare system and replacing it with a “Medicare for All” plan would cause more harm than good, MHA President & CEO Steve Walsh said last week.
04.22.2019  | CMS Proposes Updated Funding, Medication Handoff Measures
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last week issued its proposed FY2020 inpatient rehabilitation facility prospective payment system rule.
04.08.2019  | Benchmark Set; Data Lags Put 2015-16 Costs in Spotlight
The Health Policy Commission (HPC) last week voted to set the statewide healthcare cost growth benchmark for calendar year 2020 at 3.1%.
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.
03.11.2019  | 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.
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.

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: