Comments on: Real Health Reform in Massachusetts http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2009/07/29/real-health-reform-in-massachusetts/ Health Policy Consulting and Writing to Improve Quality, Reduce Costs, and Increase Value in US Healthcare Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:15:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: A Healthy Blog » Payment Reform’s Transformative Potential http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2009/07/29/real-health-reform-in-massachusetts/#comment-20193 A Healthy Blog » Payment Reform’s Transformative Potential Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:35:22 +0000 http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2009/07/29/real-health-reform-in-massachusetts/#comment-20193 [...] Michael D. Miller (not the other Michael Miller) of the Health Policy and Communications Blog has a terrific post summarizing and offering perspective on the Massachusetts payment reform [...] [...] Michael D. Miller (not the other Michael Miller) of the Health Policy and Communications Blog has a terrific post summarizing and offering perspective on the Massachusetts payment reform [...]

]]> By: HelicalZz http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2009/07/29/real-health-reform-in-massachusetts/#comment-19616 HelicalZz Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:04:47 +0000 http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2009/07/29/real-health-reform-in-massachusetts/#comment-19616 I was hoping that you would weigh in on the changes proposed in MA, and you did not disappoint. I agree that this is a game changer and potential viable solution to some form of practical universal coverage. But, I also worry that aggressive movement at the federal level won't give this program the rope it needs to prove itself. Shame more states aren't experimenting with programs of their own. It would be great to have a better perspective on what can and doesn't work before pushing too hard federally. I was hoping that you would weigh in on the changes proposed in MA, and you did not disappoint. I agree that this is a game changer and potential viable solution to some form of practical universal coverage. But, I also worry that aggressive movement at the federal level won’t give this program the rope it needs to prove itself.

Shame more states aren’t experimenting with programs of their own. It would be great to have a better perspective on what can and doesn’t work before pushing too hard federally.

]]> By: Michael http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2009/07/29/real-health-reform-in-massachusetts/#comment-19580 Michael Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:55:55 +0000 http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2009/07/29/real-health-reform-in-massachusetts/#comment-19580 Nice summary and perspective. Others across the country have also weighed in on the importance of making sure that the payments within the ACO do not use a FFS methodology, or the influence of the global payment at the ACO level will be muted, if not lost. Nice summary and perspective. Others across the country have also weighed in on the importance of making sure that the payments within the ACO do not use a FFS methodology, or the influence of the global payment at the ACO level will be muted, if not lost.

]]> By: Michael D. Miller MD http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2009/07/29/real-health-reform-in-massachusetts/#comment-19557 Michael D. Miller MD Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:11:52 +0000 http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2009/07/29/real-health-reform-in-massachusetts/#comment-19557 Hard to put a number on that TIE. It will become clearer when the legislative committees have hearings on the recommendations, but I believe the Special Commission unanimously endorsed the report so it isn't starting with a divisive launch. At a minimum, I think the state will take the first steps necessary to implement a global payment system, e.g. the methodologies and monitoring mechanisms discussed in the report. And there may be steps taken within the delivery community to start discussing how to form ACOs - although actually doing that may depend upon some legal changes. And of course, there needs to be discussions with CMS about modifying the state's Medicaid program and getting a Medicare waiver. Lots to do, but certainly worth the effort. Hard to put a number on that TIE. It will become clearer when the legislative committees have hearings on the recommendations, but I believe the Special Commission unanimously endorsed the report so it isn’t starting with a divisive launch.

At a minimum, I think the state will take the first steps necessary to implement a global payment system, e.g. the methodologies and monitoring mechanisms discussed in the report. And there may be steps taken within the delivery community to start discussing how to form ACOs – although actually doing that may depend upon some legal changes. And of course, there needs to be discussions with CMS about modifying the state’s Medicaid program and getting a Medicare waiver. Lots to do, but certainly worth the effort.

]]> By: The Incidental Economist http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2009/07/29/real-health-reform-in-massachusetts/#comment-19556 The Incidental Economist Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:58:18 +0000 http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2009/07/29/real-health-reform-in-massachusetts/#comment-19556 Thank you for this helpful summary. What are the prospects for any of this becoming reality? Thank you for this helpful summary. What are the prospects for any of this becoming reality?

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