NAPH Releases Massachusetts Health Reform Paper
NAPH recently released a report, “Massachusetts Health Reform: Lessons Learned about the Critical Role of Safety Net Health Systems.” Recognizing that Massachusetts health reform has successfully expanded health care coverage, the report highlights key policy lessons that federal policymakers should consider in national reform. Specifically, the report emphasizes the ongoing critical role of the safety net – which, post-reform, is caring for higher volumes of low-income patients. Additionally, the report emphasizes the importance of ensuring that providers can cover the costs of caring for low-income patients – the adequacy of Medicaid and Commonwealth Care (the state’s new coverage plan) rates are highlighted. NAPH would like to thank NAPH members Boston Medical Center (BMC) and Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) for their significant efforts to assist NAPH in the development of this report.
BMC and CHA’s first-hand experience in meeting the challenges of health reform in Massachusetts has propelled these institutions into leadership roles on health reform. Elaine Ullian, President and CEO of BMC, has been tapped to serve on a Brooking Institution advisory panel to address key issues related to academic medical centers and their future. At an April 27 Brookings event on this issue, Elaine presented on the challenges that Massachusetts-style health reform poses for academic medical centers. Additionally, on May 6, Thomas Traylor, Vice President of Federal and State Programs at BMC, testified before the Pennsylvania State Legislature regarding the impact of Massachusetts health reform on the safety net delivery system.