The following blog post is from Guest Commentator Steven Defossez, MD, Vice President for Clinical Integration at the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association:
Finally, common sense has prevailed over a…
The Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA), the Organization of Nurse Leaders (ONL), the Massachusetts Council of Community Hospitals (MCCH) and the Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals.
Steve Walsh joined the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA) as president and CEO in November 2017.
A member of the American College of Health Care Executives (ACHE), Walsh previously served as the…
“Fake news” has unfortunately become part of our culture. This time, however, we have an opportunity – and in fact an obligation – to correct it. If you needed additional proof that the…
President Trump's irresponsible decision to discontinue federal insurance cost-sharing reduction subsidies is a devastating one-two punch coming on the heels of yesterday’s Executive Order that could…
The Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association and our members are immensely relieved that the latest GOP Senate healthcare proposal was defeated. Now Congress can – and should – focus…
As reported in the press, the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA)'s own documents reveal that it is planning to strike at Tufts Medical Center at a time that is "most harmful to the hospital." Such action…
The recent op-ed on the healthcare community's climate preparedness from Boston Medical Center President & CEO, Kate Walsh, and Partners HealthCare President & CEO, David Torchiana, was a stark…
MHA, hospitals, health systems and other providers have made great strides in healthcare payment and delivery reform, thanks to Massachusetts' health reform law of 2006 and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
This is national Healthcare Decisions Week, and throughout the month of April, MHA is re-doubling its effort to bring attention to the importance of advance healthcare planning – the process you want your…
Hospitals and other healthcare providers are a foundation for good in the United States, but our nation’s very solid progress toward accessible, high-quality care for all residents is now under siege.
Massachusetts voters will consider an initiative to legalize the commercial sale of marijuana in November of 2016. After studying this issue and consulting with a variety of experts and clinical leaders…
After 80 years representing hospitals throughout the commonwealth – the Massachusetts Hospital Association has changed its name to the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association. We arrived at the…
There's an amendment to the Senate Ways & Means Committee budget being debated this week that can improve patient care and simultaneously save nurses money by reducing the burden of holding and paying for…
The Massachusetts Senate just moved us one step closer to improved efforts to reduce tobacco use and nicotine addiction in the commonwealth. I commend Senate President Stan Rosenberg and the members of the Senate…
Kudos to the state legislature's Joint Committee on Public Health (chaired by Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester) and Rep. Kate Hogan (D-Stow)), for its recent release of a comprehensive bill to reduce tobacco use and…
As 2016 kicks off in earnest with a traditional New England cold front, MHA's member hospitals, health systems, physician groups and caregivers can reflect on the many accomplishments and challenges we have faced…
The announcement this week by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts that they will provide some of the nation's most comprehensive benefits for end-of-life discussions and care is an excellent move…
Earlier this week, the Massachusetts state legislature's Joint Committee on Public Health heard – yet again – testimony on a nursing union's misguided legislation to mandate one-size-fits-all nurse…
I am quite heartened by a spate of recent progress made by Massachusetts state and federal lawmakers to address and ease our nation's opioid misuse and addiction crisis.
On Sept.10th, the Massachusetts…
Efforts to oppose tobacco use and promotion both nationally and in Massachusetts have me feeling increasingly hopeful that we will indeed "make smoking history" sooner rather than later. Last week's decision…
Attorney General Maura Healey's new report on the intersection of behavioral health services and healthcare reform makes important observations regarding Massachusetts' ongoing efforts to improve both…
Patient safety is always paramount at Massachusetts hospitals, but as we mark National Patient Safety Week March 8 -15th, it's an opportunity to reflect on the many ways our hospitals are constantly working to…
MHA is a longtime champion of behavioral health parity – treating mental health and substance abuse conditions on par with physical injuries and illnesses. This is not a new effort, but it sometimes…
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey proposed a statewide ban of the sale of e-cigarettesto individuals under the age of 18. AG Healey proposes to standardize e-cigarette sale practices across…
The holiday season is officially underway, and we have a lot to be grateful for in Massachusetts, particularly when it comes to healthcare.
More residents have health insurance here than in any other state, with…
It's time for everyone to get a flu vaccination, especially those involved in healthcare. Unions including 1199SEIU, the local chapter of the United Healthcare Workers union, are strongly urging their members…
This week's release of reports on both national and statewide healthcare expenditures paints a very clear picture of the success Massachusetts has had in reining in healthcare cost increases.
Just-released…
I was thrilled to read in the current issue of CommonWealth Magazine that the city of Salem has joined a growing number of Massachusetts cities and towns to advance public health efforts in their…
There's some encouraging news as well as a call to action for insurers and providers from the recent public opinion poll conducted by Mass Insight. The poll was the subject of a story in The…
An impressive collection of healthcare stakeholders have joined with MHA in calling for the state to support two extremely important reform efforts in the upcoming FY 2015 budget.
First, policymakers should…
The latest event in the nurse staffing ratios and hospital margins/executive compensation ballot issue occurred Monday, when testimony on both proposed legislation and the union's ballot initiatives was heard by…
CVS Caremark's ground breaking decision to stop selling tobacco products at its stores nationwide is a major public service and health advance. The pharmacy chain is to be applauded and supported for its…
As the country recently marked the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking US Surgeon General's Report warning the public of the dangers of tobacco use -- including this week's release of a follow-up…
The state's Health Policy Commission (HPC) just released its latest Cost Trends Report, in which it claims Massachusetts healthcare providers -- primarily hospitals -- waste somewhere on the order…