Beyond the Headlines- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
Beyond the Headlines- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
Skip to contents
June 15, 2001
Browse the archive
Current issue
In This Issue:
Caring With an Open Heart
BWH, Minority Program Score Thanks to NE Patriots
Beyond the Headlines
Service Support Recognition Week
Twins are focus of Safon Lecture
Who’s News
Pike Notes
Supports Hospital Funding
After years of struggle and advocacy, hospitals in the Commonwealth may see the beginning of some relief from historically low Massachusetts Medicaid payments. In early June, the State Senate proposed its version of the Fiscal Year 2002 budget, with increased hospital support, and has begun deliberations on it. Under the Senate proposal, Massachusetts hospitals would receive an additional $35 million in Medicaid support, boosting reimbursement rates that have not met the cost of care in prior years. In fact, according to a state commissioned report, Medicaid reimbursements have hovered below 70 percent of costs, creating sustained financial stress on struggling hospitals in Massachusetts. Earlier in the year, the Governor’s office proposed an increase of $10 million in Medicaid support for community hospitals, but in May the Massachusetts House of Representatives, awaiting the results of the state report, proposed no increases in its version of the budget. Debate will take place in the coming weeks to bring both chambers together on a final budget that will go to the Governor for approval. The Senate proposal also would provide $45 million in relief for the free care pool, reflecting a decrease in the amount of money hospitals would contribute to uncompensated care every year. Since the House budget also includes the $45 million in pool relief, it is likely that the final compromise will include this provision. Under the Senate proposal, Partners hospitals would see an estimate benefit of approximately $14 million across the board when combining the Medicaid funding and free care pool relief.