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.
Regulators eye in-state path for out-of-state medical marijuana patients
Under a regulatory proposal introduced at an October 22 CCC meeting, individuals 18 and over – regardless of what state they live in – diagnosed with a “debilitating medical condition” by a certified health care provider in Massachusetts can register to purchase medical marijuana.
Nearly 70,000 residents to get medical debt erased next week
More than $38 million in debt relief will be distributed to 69,527 people in eastern Mass. through a partnership involving the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association.
Report: Work requirements could threaten progress against overdose deaths
Roughly 55 percent of Massachusetts adults who have opioid use disorder and are enrolled in MassHealth will need to satisfy new federal work requirements outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
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.
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