Specialty Services

Information on requirements to provide specialized care.
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."
11.25.2019  | U.S. Ways & Means Seeks Views on Care to Underserved Areas
The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee has announced a request for information on ways to improve healthcare for underserved communities.
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.
11.11.2019  | Veterans Face Special Health Challenges
As the nation honors the men and women who have served in the armed forces, it’s appropriate to recognize the special health challenges many veterans face.
11.04.2019  | CHIA: Co-Morbid Behavioral Health Issues Complicate Readmissions
CHIA released its second report on behavioral health and readmissions in Massachusetts acute care hospitals.
07.22.2019  | DMH Issues Final Rule on Licensing, Operations
The Department of Mental Health has amended the regulations relating to its oversight of the licensing and operation of mental health facilities.
05.27.2019  | State Seeks to Connect Brain Injury, SUD Communities
A new opportunity is available through the state for organizations wishing to train staff members on how to best coordinate care for individuals who have co-occurring brain injury and substance use disorder.
05.20.2019  | Hospitals: Working Beyond Their Walls to Improve Health
Hospitals are undertaking important initiatives to reach deeper into their communities to improve health.
03.25.2019  | MedPAC Suggests Revamping Quality Measure Programs
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission submitted its mandated annual report to Congress last week, and once again called for a total revamping of Medicare’s hospital quality programs.
03.04.2019  | National Program Encourages Age-Friendly Health Systems
National healthcare organizations have announced expansion of a program to assist hospitals in caring for an aging population.
02.04.2019  | U.S. Attorney Lelling Says NO to SIFs
Last week the top federal law enforcement official in the state wrote a Boston Globe op-ed in which he essentially said, don’t even think about opening a SIF.
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,
12.10.2018  | AHA Sues to Stop Off-Campus Provision of Final Medicare Rule
AHA and others are suing the federal government over a new rule that changes how certain off-campus hospital departments are reimbursed for the care they provide patients.
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.
10.29.2018  | At Southcoast, RNs, Health Centers, Political Leaders Oppose 1
Southcoast Health brought together nursing, business, health, and political leaders to show the community’s widespread opposition to Question 1.
10.01.2018  | Opioids: A Step Forward in D.C., a Potential Step Back in Mass.
In Mass., optimism over a federal opioid bill is mixed with concern over an impending threat to the state's behavioral health system
08.20.2018  | Governor Baker Signs Opioid and Alzheimer's Legislation
Last week, Gov. Charlie Baker signed two pieces of legislation of interest to the hospital community.
05.16.2017  | An Act Improving Public Health Through a Common Application for Food, Health and Safety-Net Programs
The Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association, on behalf of our member hospitals, health systems, physician organizations and allied health care providers, appreciates the opportunity to submit comments in support of HB101.

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: