Much Accomplished in Health Care Reform Efforts
Since March, Partners HealthCare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts have been spearheading a grassroots effort to achieve significant health care reform in Massachusetts through a new volunteer advocacy network for employees. The response from Partners and BWH has surpassed expectations, with employees sending in hundreds of letters to legislators and lending voices to this important public debate.
Health care advocates are hopeful that true reform could happen this month as Governor Mitt Romney, Senate President Robert Travaglini and House Speaker Sal DiMasi have put forth creative, practical, responsible health care proposals. A conference committee has been charged with ironing out the differences in the House and Senate versions, and there is a real possibility that the Governor will have a bill on his desk for signature by mid-January.
These proposals share much common ground. They recognize expanded coverage for Bay State residents means healthier individuals and families. Also, rising health care costs and inconsistent levels of quality may be addressed through innovative measures like electronic medical records and computerized data entry systems that improve efficiency and prevent medical errors, as well as pay-for-performance initiatives.
BWH President Gary Gottlieb and Partners President and CEO James Mongan, MD, issued a call to BWHers to "help us close the deal" on successful, comprehensive health care reform. They encouraged staff to send letters to the State House to ensure that the major principles of reform: expanded coverage, fair provider reimbursements, cost management and quality are preserved in the final actions and hours of this legislative process. Visit http://capwiz.com/massachusettshealthreform/ mlm/signup to sign up.
If you have any questions about the advocacy network, contact Melissa Walsh at mwalsh15@partners.org or Allen Smith at asmith27@partners.org