Special Event: Phoneathon To Sign Up Children into Health Coverage
HCFA is organizing a Phoneathon on Wednesday, September 29th, from 9AM to 9PM where families with children under the age of 19 will be able to call our toll free number and sign up for health coverage. Services will be available in English, Spanish and Portuguese, and will be staffed by our Helpline Counselors and devoted, dedicated volunteers.
Health Care For All Raises Questions About For-Profit Conversion of Caritas Hospital Chain.
::Update:: The Boston Globe's lead editorial on Sunday, Aug. 22, called on Cerebus Capital, the Wall Street investors who have proposed to purchase the non-profit Caritas hospitals, to provide firm assurances of their commitment to maintaing a strong health care system that serves the community. Read it here.
In testimony to the Department of Public Health and the Attorney General's office, HCFA voiced concerns about the private equity investor's commitment to ongoing community needs. Click here to read the testimony.
Speaking Out Against MassHealth Dental Cuts
Campaign for Better Care Forum in Brockton
We hosted “Have Your Voice Heard!”, a community forum about how to improve the health care system. State Representatives Christine Canavan and Michael Brady were in attendance and members of the public shared their health care stories as well as their ideas for improving the system. The forum took place Wednesday, August 11 p.m. at Brockton Neighborhood Health Center.
The US Congress passed an extension of expanded FMAP, meaning Massachusetts will get some $450 million in additional federal Medicaid reimbursements. As a result, the Comonwealth Care Bridge program, which covers over 20,000 legal immigrants, should be secure for remainder of the fiscal year. HCFA calls on the Patrick administration to use these funds to restore cuts to MassHealth and other health programs, such as adult dental benefits.
Victory! Legislature preserves the pharma and medical device gift ban and marketing restrictions.
HCFA thanks the conferees and the House and Senate leadership for their support.
The state's drug and device gift ban and disclosure law keeps marketing money from getting between the patient and their prescriber. Our gift ban and disclosure law protects businesses and consumers from aggressive marketing tactics that produce conflicts of interest that increase prescription drug costs. All patients should be able to get the drugs they need at an affordable price.
Read more at our blog | Read our mention in the Wall Street Journal blog
NAIC Issue Brief: Consumer Recommendations for Regulators and Lawmakers
Health Care For All consumers advocate, Georgia J. Maheras, Esq., was named a Consumer Liaison Representative to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The NAIC will be instrumental in helping implement national health reform, and the Consumer Representatives will recommend guidelines and processes that are in the best interest of patients. Read the issue brief.
The Collaborative for Community Engagement and Research awards four community health centers grants to improve public understanding of health information and clinical research. Click here to read the full press release.
Support Health Reform for All Americans The success of the Massachusetts health care reform model demonstrates that national reform can expand affordable quality coverage. Learn more from our national partner Community Catalyst and visit their blog, Health Policy Hub. Click here to learn about why national reform is good for Massachusetts.
Consumer Health HelpLine A FREE resource about Massachusetts health care that is available to all. Contact us either by phone at 800-272-4232 or online. Help is available in English, Spanish and Portugese.
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The state's drug and device gift ban and disclosure law keeps marketing money from getting between the patient and their prescriber. Our gift ban and 
