MHPF Highlights
Healthy Aging Forum Looks at Patient-Centered Care For Seniors
Forum Looks at Successes in MassHealth Pharmacy Program
MHPF in the News
The verdict on Romney’s Rx
- ‘RomneyCare’ Facts and Falsehoods. We take a look at Massachusetts' health care law, before the 2012 campaign claims really start flying.
Press Releases
Release 6.21.10
Report Confirms Massachusetts Will Realize Coverage Gains and Financial Benefits Through National Health Reform
Release 6.2.10
Two Reports Study Health Care Reform Impact on Women’s Health
Forum held on October 26, 2011
Beyond Parity: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Care Under Payment and Delivery System Reform
As Massachusetts implements provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and debates delivery system and payment reform within the Commonwealth, this Forum aimed to critically examine how these major policy initiatives impacted care for individuals with mental health and addiction disorders. Reforms hold the promise of improving the quality of care and the well-being of individuals with mental health and addiction treatment needs in Massachusetts. Yet, critical questions remain about how to effectively transform systems of care in the state to best meet the prevention, treatment and recovery needs of this population. At the Forum, we heard recommendations on how to move into the next phase of health reform in Massachusetts with the goal of improving mental health and addiction care, as well as best practices from experts around the country and reactions from state leaders in this field. Speakers included: Honorable Steven Walsh, Chair, Joint Committee on Health Care Financing; Barbara Leadholm, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health; Colleen Barry, Associate Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Michael Botticelli, Director, Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Abuse Services; Daniel Fisher, Executive Director, National Empowerment Center; Colleen Labelle, Program Director and Faculty, Boston University School of Medicine; Paul Mendis, Chief Medical Officer, Neighborhood Health Plan. Richard Frank, Margaret T. Morris Professor of Health Economics, Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School moderated. This forum was co-sponsored by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation and the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health.
Issue brief available at: http://bluecrossfoundation.org/Policy-and-Research/Convening/Beyond-Parity.aspx 
Forum held on September 27, 2011
Substance Exposed Newborns: Addressing Social Costs Across the Lifespan
This forum examined the implications of prenatal substance exposure through the life span and consider policies and initiatives for prevention and treatment. Prenatal exposure to alcohol, tobacco, misused prescription medication, and illegal drugs can seriously impact the child and family and result in substantial cost to society. Massachusetts and other states have undertaken initiatives to reduce the impact of prenatal exposure but many opportunities remain. Even in a time of significant budgetary constraints, it is essential to consider options that will, over time, save taxpayer money, improve lives, and build a healthier and more productive Commonwealth. This forum was made possible with the support of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Forum held on June 20, 2011
Stepping Toward Single Payer: An Inside Look at Vermont
On May 26, Governor Peter Shumlin signed a bill putting Vermont on a path toward what it calls a "universal and unified health system," with the objective insuring all Vermonters. The legislation sets up a health care exchange, in keeping with federal health care legislation, and creates a board that will review and approve designs for a publicly financed program available to all residents. The plan includes innovations in coverage expansion, cost control and payment reform. Details about this initiative were provided at the Massachusetts Health Policy Forum and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation forum. Speakers included Anya Rader Wallack, Special Assistant to the Governor and President of Arrowhead Health Analytics, William Hsiao, K.T. Li Professor of Economics at Harvard School of Public Health, Vermont Representative Michael Fisher, and Don George, President and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont.