HEALTH CARE
CommonWealth Beacon dives into the present and future of health and wellness in Massachusetts through its coverage of medical breakthroughs, regional disparities, insurance reshuffles, and the nitty-gritty of health policy.
Health Connector expects another ‘unique’ sign-up period amid federal cuts
Nearly 350,000 Bay Staters are currently enrolled in individual Connector coverage. People will need to navigate double-digit premium hikes and some discontinued plans, particularly among Tufts Direct and Fallon Health enrollees.
Gov. Healey steps in again as Brigham nurses near an indefinite strike
Nurses authorized an indefinite strike last week, and the Massachusetts Nurses Association said it submitted the required 10-day notice for an “unfair labor practice” strike to Mass General Brigham.
Brigham and Women’s nurses set October 14 strike date
The nurses overwhelmingly authorized an indefinite strike last week, after their five-day work stoppage in July failed to break the contract negotiation stalemate.
MassHealth lowers estimate of members facing new work rules
Roughly 50,000 fewer MassHealth members are predicted to be impacted by Medicaid work and education requirements.
Opponents of new abortion law eye 2028 repeal effort
A new coalition filed paperwork seeking to suspend and ultimately repeal the measure in the 2028 election cycle.
Healey moves to grow behavioral health workforce as access lags
Massachusetts is “facing a behavioral health access crisis,” says a May report from the Health Policy Commission’s Behavioral Health Workforce Center.
Poor recordkeeping muddies latest target of MassHealth fraud probe
The latest defendant accused of defrauding the state’s Medicaid program is fighting the fraud charges. But he’s also blaming any errors on years of shoddy recordkeeping on the part of brokers and vendors that handle scheduling, patient records, and billing for the state’s Medicaid-covered rides.
Pricey campaign launched to assist with ‘ridiculous’ federal Medicaid requirements
Starting this week, Healey said, notices are being mailed to MassHealth members about how the federal changes could affect them and what actions they need to take to stay covered.
Signing new abortion law, Healey cites stories of ‘anguish and heartache’
Gov. Maura Healey on Monday signed legislation removing restrictions on abortions after 24 weeks of gestation, a change that supporters say will help more patients stay in-state to receive care.
With House vote, Beacon Hill inches closer to landmark primary care reforms
Negotiations on a final compromise could prove arduous, but the House and Senate agree on the fundamental idea of more than doubling the share of health care spending that goes toward primary care to ease the crisis that’s left many patients struggle to find appointments.
Social workers eye compact to erase licensing hurdles
Social workers with a multistate compact license would be able to practice in other jurisdictions that are part of the compact.
Health insurance woes reaching ‘inflection point,’ commissioner says
The escalating use of low-value care — medical services that are unnecessary for patient care — was identified as a contributor to health care spending growth. One in four commercially insured residents received at least one low-value service in 2024.
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