Massachusetts Update...
Health care proposals should receive significant attention in the State legislature in 2003. However, with the arrival of a new administration and a growing budget deficit now estimated to be in excess of $2 billion, the challenges will be significant.
In this context, a number of initiatives have been introduced under the sponsorship of the Massachusetts Hospital Association, (MHA), including legislation directed at stabilizing the safety net, reforming managed care, simplifying regulatory and administrative burdens and bills designed to bolster safety and workforce development.
The MHA is proposing to restructure the financing of the uncompensated care pool and advocating for the continuation of the MassHealth Basic program, funded by the provisions of tobacco settlement funding. Among other initiatives, the MHA is also seeking more timely managed care payments and Medicaid reform consistent with the Lewin Report issued last year.