Massachusetts Health Care Reform

Governor Patrick signed legislation on August 10 which raises another $100 million through additional assessments on providers, insurance companies, and other employers to fund the implementation of the Commonwealth's universal health care program. The new legislation includes measures designed to promote primary care, increase use of electronic medical records, and restrict promotional "gifts" from medical and pharmaceutical suppliers. The Commonwealth continues to operate under extensions to CMS Medicaid waivers while negotiating with CMS concerning the federal funding contribution and CMS budget neutrality requirements.

SCHIP Expansion

California officially notified CMS on August 12 that it will not comply with a CMS policy letter issued last year, setting eight conditions for offering SCHIP enrollment for children in families with income over 250 percent of the federal poverty level. California contends that it must follow California law and its previously approved SCHIP state plan.  New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Maryland, and Washington have already brought suit, arguing that the CMS policy letter has no basis in federal SCHIP law.

Tom Entrikin

Tom Entrikin is a PCG manager and former Medicaid policy specialist with the U.S. Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), now the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).