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Tuesday, March 4, 2025
SAFE Coalition: Exploring Collaborative Care
My Ombudsman Hosts In-Person Office Hours at Chris’ Corner – Recovery Resource Center in Milford on Mar 11 & Mar 20, 2025
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| My Ombudsman Hosts In-Person Office Hours |
📍 Location: Chris’ Corner – Recovery Resource Center, 12 Main Street, Milford, MA📅 Dates: March 11, 2025 and March 20, 2025⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
At My Ombudsman, we help MassHealth members understand their healthcare rights and ensure they receive the care they need. We offer free, confidential support, including assistance in multiple languages, and work closely with providers to resolve concerns.
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Senator Rausch Makes Important Additions to Health Care Cost Containment Legislation
Today (Jan 8, 2025), State Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham) joined legislative colleagues, health advocates, and members of the administration as Governor Maura Healey signed into law a pair of critical health care cost control bills, one aimed at pharmaceuticals and the other providing major health care sector oversight to protect Massachusetts residents from soaring health care costs.
The laws respond directly to the Steward Health Care collapse and will offer patients financial relief by capping the prices of certain drugs, erecting guardrails against private equity in health care, and giving the Attorney General and state health regulators more oversight authority.
"This health care cost containment legislation will help hundreds of thousands of Bay Staters avoid the stress and uncertainty of rapidly rising health care costs," said Senator Becca Rausch, lead sponsor of several bills included in the final package. "More than 40% of Massachusetts residents have trouble paying for health care for themselves or their families. That is unacceptable. The strong oversight and reporting measures signed into law today will improve affordability and accessibility to Massachusetts' world-class health care. I'm so proud that my legislation to give the Health Policy Commission more tools in its cost oversight toolkit was part and parcel of this package. I am truly grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka, Senator Cindy Friedman, and our partners in the House for persevering on this legislation until it crossed the finish line, and to Governor Healey for signing these two bills into law."
The Health Policy Commission (HPC) is an independent state agency that monitors health care spending growth annually and sets a reasonable target for that growth. Senator Rausch's language allows HPC to exercise its oversight authority if a provider's total health care expenditures grow at a faster rate than the benchmark and streamlines the oversight of providers who significantly expand their scope of care. Providers will have to issue advance notice of material changes, including mergers and acquisitions, so HPC can assess whether they may substantially impact health care spending.
Additionally, the suite of bills that became law today expand the scope of data collection and public review of health care and related transactions by regulators, increase visibility and accountability for transactions involving private owners of health care resources, enhance data sharing requirements to improve transparency around health care entities and their ownership, and begins the process of improving access to primary care statewide. Today's legislation reemphasizes the Commonwealth's commitment to prioritizing patients over profits.
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| Gov Healey "signed two bills to cut prescription drug costs and make sure patients always come before profit" |
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Life expectancy vs health expenditure in US vs. the Rest of the world
"Fascinating to watch: Life expectancy vs health expenditure.
One clear outlier stands out—the US.
By EEAGLI"
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| Life expectancy vs health expenditure in US vs. the Rest of the world |
Friday, September 13, 2024
Catching up with Franklin's Health Director Cathleen Liberty (audio)
FM #1279 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1279 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Health Director Cathleen Liberty September 4, 2024. We had our conversation via the Zoom conference bridge.
The recording runs about 36 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Cathleen Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1279-franklin-ma-health-director-cathleen-liberty-09-04-24/
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Health Dept page https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department
Metacomet Health page -> https://www.metacometpha.org/
Health Dept Homeless Resource page ->
https://sites.google.com/view/homeless-resources-services/home
Sign up for Health alerts via Regroup -> https://franklintown.regroup.com/signup
The Topic podcast -> https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department/pages/topic-podcast-links
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
Sunday, September 8, 2024
Chair Mercer condenses the Sep 4, 2024 Town Council meeting in this Quarterbacking session (audio)
FM #1272 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1272 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Thursday, September 5, 2023.
• ok, what just happened?
• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?
Topics for this session
APPOINTMENTS
a. Conservation Commission: Lui Puga (term expiration correction to 2026)
b. Council on Aging: Tina Powderly
c. Finance Committee: Ken Ojukwu
d. Franklin TV Board of Directors
i. Anne Bergen
ii. William “Ken” Norman
a. Vote to reopen the June 26, 2024 Public Hearing: Transfer, Change of Location, Pledge of Collateral and Approval of Manager of a Section 15 Wine and Malt Beverages Package Store License: Rye's Wine Incorporated d/b/a Pour Richard’s Wine & Provisions Located at 835 West Central Street, Suite 2, Franklin, MA 02038
b. Vote to reopen the June 26, 2024 Public Hearing: Transfer, Change of Location and Approval of Manager of a Section 15 All Alcoholic Beverages Package Store License: Mormax Corporation d/b/a BJ’s Wholesale Club Located at 100 Corporate Drive, Franklin, MA 02038
PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a. Pete Fasciano - Franklin TV
Chapter 61B Right of First Refusal on Maplegate Country Club
c. Davis-Thayer Reuse
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/8c._1_-_memo_-_davis_thayer_reuse.pdf
c. Resolution 24-55: Health Care Group Insurance Transfer
(Motion to Approve Resolution 24-55 - Majority Vote)
d. Resolution 24-56: Gift Acceptance - Recreation Department ($2,000)
(Motion to Approve Resolution 24-56 - Majority Vote)
The recording runs about 32 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom on Thursday, September 5, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1272-town-council-quarterbacking-09-05-24/
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Town Council agenda Sep 4, 2024
Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/eZ51XEq57_U?si=DnXqGMfyZU1OEX7S&t=89
Town Council recap -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/09/town-council-reopens-hearing-to-approve.html
My notes captured during the meeting and now in one PDF file ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ojJYhfyLslZxv7XQ8dhevA3R0jMyHcj5/view?usp=drive_link
--------------
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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| right of first refusal on the Maplegate Country Club property was previewed |
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Governor Healey Signs Into Law Comprehensive Midwifery and Maternal Health Legislation for Massachusetts
Law expands access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has signed into law a comprehensive midwifery and maternal health legislative package that creates a state licensure pathway for certified professional midwives and lactation consultants, encourages the creation of more freestanding birth centers, establishes a grant program to address maternal mental health and substance use disorder, and expands the statewide universal postpartum home visiting program. This legislation also mandates that insurers cover post-pregnancy mental health screenings and pediatric well visit appointments once per calendar year up to age six.
"I am so very happy, proud, and grateful that the midwives and maternal health bill is now law," said Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham), lead Senate sponsor of multiple bills included in the omnibus legislation. "In addition to joining the 38 other states that already license certified professional midwives, this single legislative package squarely addresses our maternal health crisis, honors patient choice in maternal care, improves patient outcomes, reduces inequities in maternal health care, lowers health care costs, enhances access to pediatric care, boosts post-pregnancy mental health care, and much more. With this reproductive justice legislation, we significantly uplift people deciding for themselves whether, when, and how to parent. Today is the culmination of years of work by so many advocates, experts, and lawmakers, to save and improve lives as we reaffirm that Massachusetts values women's health and self-determination."
The ceremonial bill signing at the State House Grand Staircase was full of joy amongst the more than 100 people who attended. It was profoundly powerful for legislation about midwifery, a profession undermined for far too long, to be signed at the heart of our state's power and legitimacy.
A central pillar of the legislative package is licensure for certified professional midwives, or CPMs, a bill Rausch has filed and championed in the Massachusetts Senate, co-filed by Representatives Kay Khan and Brandy Fluker Oakley in the House of Representatives. The legislation creates the Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health (DPH) to license and provide oversight of licensed CPMs, enhancing their professional self-governance, practice autonomy, and authority to use important and life-saving medication. The law also ensures equitable reimbursement of certified nurse-midwives by requiring that they receive payment rates equal to those for the same services performed by a physician under MassHealth.
In an effort to proactively address mental health needs, the legislation requires MassHealth and commercial insurance coverage for post-pregnancy depression screenings for all post-pregnancy patients, without regard to how a pregnancy may have ended. The legislation also requires screenings to be offered at maternal and other adult care appointments, rather than exclusively at pediatric appointments, thereby reaching all post-pregnancy cases, including miscarriage. The inclusion of all post-pregnancy cases reflects a bill filed by Rausch earlier this term. Further, DPH will develop and maintain a comprehensive digital resource center on post-pregnancy mental health conditions and services and conduct a pregnancy loss awareness program.
Two other priorities championed by Rausch are encompassed in the legislation: a provision to improve patient safety by requiring licensed supervision of pregnancy-related ultrasound services, co-filed by Representative Sally Kerans; and a requirement that insurers cover well-child pediatric visits for young children once per calendar year rather than once every 12 months, co-filed by Representative Sean Garballey, so families can stay on schedule with their children's birthdays even if a doctor's appointment has to be postponed or rescheduled.
To encourage the creation of more freestanding birth centers, which operate independent from hospital systems, the law requires DPH to promulgate updated regulations governing the licensure of freestanding birth centers to ensure safe, equitable, and accessible birth options.
The legislation also requires that MassHealth cover noninvasive prenatal screenings to detect whether a pregnancy is at increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities for all pregnant patients regardless of age, baseline risk, or family history. The law requires health insurers to provide coverage for medically necessary pasteurized donor human milk and products derived from it, serving as a critical source of nutrition for the growth and development of babies, particularly for vulnerable premature infants. To better support new mothers in their feeding journeys, the law also authorizes the Board of Allied Health Professionals to license lactation consultants to ensure their services are eligible for reimbursement through the patient's insurance.
The law provides critical support for birthing people and their families during the postpartum period, including requiring DPH to conduct a public awareness campaign about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and to develop and maintain a digital resource center that will be available to the public. It also requires that perinatal individuals be offered a screening for postpartum depression and major depressive disorder, and that those services be covered by health insurance plans. To better address barriers in access to care and reduce racial inequities in maternal health, the law expands the universal postpartum home visiting program administered by DPH and provides coverage for the program's services.
Additionally, the law requires DPH to develop and disseminate public information about pregnancy loss to the public and perinatal health care workers to prioritize the physical and mental health care of patients affected. It also requires DPH to establish a program to conduct fetal and infant mortality reviews (FIMR) to identify social, economic, and systems level factors associated with fetal and infant deaths and inform public health policy programs. The law also includes a provision that will allow Massachusetts residents to use earned paid sick time in the event of a pregnancy loss.
The law ensures that the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee will have access to essential records required to conduct thorough and timely reviews of maternal deaths and pregnancy complications. This will enable the Committee to formulate comprehensive recommendations to improving maternal outcomes and prevent mortality. The law also establishes a grant program under the Executive Office of Health and Human Services aimed at addressing maternal mental health. This program will support the establishment or expansion of initiatives serving perinatal individuals, particularly those in underserved populations, to improve mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorder.
The law establishes a nine-member task force to study the current availability of, and access to, maternal health services and care, as well as essential service closures of inpatient maternity units and acute-level birthing centers. The task force will identify methods of increasing financial investment in, and patient access to, maternal health care in the Commonwealth.
The legislative text can be found online -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4999
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| Governor Healey Signs Into Law Comprehensive Midwifery and Maternal Health Legislation for Massachusetts |