This week on The Codcast, John McDonough of the T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Paul Hattis of the Lown Institute are joined by Dr. Abha Agrawal, CEO of Lawrence General Hospital. They discuss her vision for a community-based health system, barriers to advancing equity in Merrimack Valley health care, and the hospital ‘safety net’ amidst a transition to 3 hospitals.
A new leader is changing Merrimack Valley health care
Posted inOpinion
We need more stories like Bobby’s
As we have shown with cystic fibrosis here in Massachusetts, when the patients, families, scientists, academics, political leaders, and life science companies come together as one, there is no cure that is beyond our reach. Just ask Bobby.
Posted inState Government
Ware Police chief crossed fuzzy ethical line on new gun bill
The State Ethics Commission issued a public education letter – but no fine – to Ware Police Chief Shawn Crevier late last week, it said in a statement, “because the conflict of interest law’s application to political activity by public employees is complex, easily misunderstood, and in need of further public clarification.”
Posted inOpinion
We need answers on Mass. hospital finances
The Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association reports a $220 million Healthy Safety Net deficit for fiscal year 2025, following $380 million deficits in FY 2023 and 2024, totaling $600 million. It raises the question how exactly are hospitals burning through so much cash?
Posted inState Government
Mass. begins eminent domain taking of St. Elizabeth’s
“Taking the property for a fraction of the assessed value is theft and everyone in Massachusetts–every business owner and homeowner–should be concerned about this threat,” said an attorney for the landowner.,
Posted inOpinion
Commuter rail employees getting suicide prevention training
Through this partnership, Samaritans will provide mental health and suicide prevention training to nearly 1,000 frontline commuter rail personnel.
Posted inPolitics
Political Notebook: Ron Mariano, media critic | First lady or first partner?
“I mean, you guys have an obligation to write what’s really gonna happen,” House Speaker Ron Mariano huffed.
Posted inTransportation
Arlington official tells MBTA board town deserves better
“Here’s the bottom line. For $3.4 million a year, we shouldn’t be ignored. We deserve a seat at the table,” Paul Schlichtman said. “If we don’t get adequate transit, we’re just going to suffer from a horrible case of car constipation, so let’s get started on a Red Line extension.”
Posted inState Government
Spilka hosts opposing camps on Wu’s property tax shift proposal
The meeting in Spilka’s office, which lasted about an hour, included Wu as well as her chief financial officer and assessing commissioner, and business community leaders, such as Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s Jim Rooney and the Boston Municipal Research Bureau’s Marty Walz, a former House lawmaker, who have said there could be alternative approaches to Wu’s proposal, such as budget belt-tightening.
Posted inState Government
Deputy sheriff breaks law, but comes out ahead financially
Floyd Teague, a deputy sheriff whose duties included holding public auctions of seized boats, cars, trucks, and homes, got caught illegally steering a modular home to his wife for $20,000. His wife then invested $45,000 in the property and sold it five months later for $309,900, a gain of nearly $245,000.
Posted inOpinion
As a teacher, I know MCAS is crucial to ensuring we help all students succeed
Maintaining the statewide MCAS graduation standard for all kids, whether they live in Newton or New Bedford, means all districts will have to educate their students to the same minimum standard.
Posted inEnvironment
With flood season approaching, it’s ‘deployables day’ in Boston
Most cities now lean away from single-use barriers like sandbags and toward reusable laminate or metal panels that can be brought to the site on short notice or raised from a hidden flat position at sidewalk-level when flooding is expected.
Posted inSource Document
O’Brien’s attorney calls the Cannabis Commission ‘a place that lives on grievances’
Stern’s statement is rambling in places, but it also captures some of the drama of this classic fight between the treasurer and O’Brien, a former treasurer herself who Goldberg appointed to chair the commission.
Posted inOpinion
The decision to report harassment should be mine
When I confided in a professor that classmate had been harassing me, it triggered an automatic report to the university’s Title IX office. While the regulation may be well-intentioned, it strips victims of the control they should have over whether to report such incidents.
Posted inEducation
‘Alarm bells should be going off.’ MCAS English scores down again.
MCAS scores in English showed a continued decline, a troubling trend after two full school years with students back to in-person learning following the pandemic disruption.
Posted inOpinion
Steward aftermath isn’t the state’s only health care challenge
Massachusetts is now the state with the second-highest family health insurance premiums in the country, behind only New Jersey. We were fourth or fifth highest a few years ago, so we’re going in the wrong direction.
Posted inState Government
Healey signs bill aimed at bringing in federal funding
The federal grant money would be funneled towards infrastructure and economic development projects. The law sets up a $750 million pot of money, funded using interest generated by the state’s $8 billion-plus stabilization fund. The money will go toward matching federal grants.
Posted inEnergy
Healey sees ‘nice synergy’ in buying Millstone nuclear power
“Millstone is a good example,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “Millstone is a nuclear power plant in Connecticut. There’s an opportunity for Massachusetts to purchase energy from Millstone. There’s a nice synergy there.”
Posted inEnergy
State House climate negotiators resume talks
“I think there’s a real interest in getting to yes,” said Sen. Michael Barrett, who had all but given up hope for a larger bill after the governor filed her close-out spending bill. “Not everything is aligned quite yet, but I think we can emerge from all this chaos with a deal.”
Posted inHousing
20 groups weigh in on MBTA Communities Act case
The key issue in the case is whether Campbell can compel compliance when the MBTA Communities Act statute itself is silent on her enforcement power and specifically mentions the loss of grant funds as the penalty for noncompliance.