Medicare/ Medicaid

Medicare is a federal program that pays for certain healthcare expenses for individuals age 65 or older. MHA monitors prospective and recently implemented changes to Medicare and MassHealth, provides information about how specific aspects of the programs affect care providers, and advocates for fair and equitable implementation of the program. 
10.01.2018  | Congress Nears Spending Agreement to Avoid Shutdown
On September 26, the U.S. House passed a House/Senate FY2019 spending agreement for several agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
09.10.2018  | Hospitals File Suit to Halt 340B Cuts
AHA and other hospital interests filed suit in U.S. District Court to stop a nearly 30% reduction in Medicare payments to hospitals for purchase of outpatient drugs under the 340B program.
07.30.2018  | Hospitals Harmed by Proposed OPPS Rule
CMS issued its proposed Outpatient Prospective Payment System rule for FY19 last week and an initial review shows that it has the potential to adversely affect hospitals.
07.16.2018  | Clinicians Concerned About Their Scores Can Get a Review
Clinicians who participated in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System in 2017 can now access their final MIPS score and performance feedback.
07.02.2018  | CMS Responds to Massachusetts Medicaid Waiver Requests
Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services responded to the state’s 1115 Medicaid Waiver request that had been filed last September.
06.18.2018  | CMS Once Again Sees the Light, Delays Star Ratings
CMS will not update Hospital Compare’s quality star ratings in July as scheduled.
04.30.2018  | Proposed Changes to Medicare Include Less Reporting
The IPPS proposed rule would significantly reduce the number of quality measures hospitals have to report.
04.30.2018  | Mass. Providers, Insurers, Consumers Unite to Oppose Rule
A federal proposed rule to allow short-term, limited-duration insurance could expose individuals to higher healthcare costs.
04.16.2018  | Thoughts on Federal Opioid-Fighting Legislation
The U.S. House Ways & Means Committee has issued a white paper summarizing comments the committee received on the opioid crisis within the Medicare program.
04.09.2018  | House Ways & Means Committee FY2019 Budget Expected This Week
The House Ways & Means Committee version of the FY2019 state budget is expected to be released by the committee this Wednesday.
03.05.2018  | FY19 Budget Priorities for House Ways & Means Committee
MHA weighed in with the House Ways & Means Committee as it prepares to take the next step in the state’s budget process.
02.19.2018  | The Trump HHS Budget for Fiscal 2019
Last Monday, the Trump Administration released its FY2019 budget proposal.
02.05.2018  | Will the New Spending Bill Once Again Target Medicare?
Hospitals are concerned that negotiations over how to raise budget caps may result in further Medicare cuts.
02.05.2018  | While Congress Delays, Medicare Moves Forward on Therapy Caps
CMS posted a statement saying that it would begin the process to implement the statutorily required therapy cap.
01.29.2018  | Transition
The nation’s new Health & Human Services Secretary is Alex Azar.
01.29.2018  | CHIP and the Short-Lived Shutdown
The three-day government shutdown came to an end last Monday when Congress passed a continuing resolution package.
01.22.2018  | What to Expect During a Government Shutdown
Since 1976 there have been 17 federal government shutdowns.
01.15.2018  | Work Requirement for Medicaid? Mass. Says, “No Thanks”
The Trump Administration announced it would allow state Medicaid programs to seek a Medicaid waiver that would allow states to require certain Medicaid beneficiaries to be either working or preparing to work as a requirement to receive Medicaid.
01.08.2018  | Federal Court Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging 340B Cuts
A U.S. District Court dismissed a lawsuit regarding a Medicare policy that would reduce hospital payments under the 340B program.
12.19.2017  | SB1174 etal Omnibus Healthcare Facilities Testimony
SB1174, HB1181/SB1183, SB1269, HB1136, HB1137, HB1207, HB3250, SB1248, SB1270, HB1175, HB1197, SB1230, HB2441, HB2477, HB3514, SB1212, SB1234 Healthcare Facilities

Resources

Click on the links below for easy access to information on important federal healthcare matters and MHA’s advocacy, outreach and other work on these issues.

Both of these include links to members list, committees, and legislation and records.