Memo to Executive Office of Health & Human Services Secretary JudyAnn Bigby encouraging telehomecare as a solution to growing healthcare costs.
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Month: May 2009
Comments to MA Special Commission on Healthcare Payment Reform
The Alliance submitted comments on payment and purchase reform to the MA Special Commission on Health Care Payment Reform.
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Alliance Budget Priority Message to Ways & Means
Testimony to the Joint Committee on Ways & Means regarding our budget priorities
60 Day Cut Fact Sheet
Telehealth Fact Sheet
Home health services are an important part of caring for the elderly, mentally ill and otherwise infirm citizens of Massachusetts and helps individuals remain independent in their homes and communities. Home health is also cost-effective in keeping patients out of nursing homes and hospitals as well as reducing visits to the emergency room. The industry carries with it opportunities for further cost savings, but the circumstances of our economy have hindered their advancement.
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Alliance Testimony on Fair Share Contributions
Pat Kelleher’s Testimony on Fair Share Contributions
Our primary concern with these proposed changes is their impact on our smaller, private care home care companies. These companies have emerged to meet a growing need for quality affordable elder care in our state; they are providing new jobs in our state, often for workers who are new to the workplace. But the work hours fluctuate widely for their direct care workers depending on the number of clients, on each client’s health status, and even the time year. Over this past year the vast majority of these entities have done what they believed the state wanted them to do. They worked to comply with the law, including the state’s new fair share rules, and filing deadlines. Few opted to pay rather than comply. With these proposed changes, especially including that quarterly test, it seems to them that what the state now wants is not compliance, but payment.
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Massachusetts Community First Olmstead Plan
Massachusetts Olmstead Plan. The Press Release comes from the office of Governor Deval Patrick and was announced on Sept. 12, 2008.
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High Gas Prices Impact Home Care Providers
Higher gasoline prices affect home care providers.
When gasoline was over $4 per gallon in June of 2008, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice released a study of how the prices at that time impacted home care staff and the industry. Click on the press release for more information.
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Testimony on Equal Choice Law
Alliance Executive Director Pat Kelleher’s testimony regarding the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs Oversight Hearing on the Equal Choice Law.
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Alliance Testimony to Health IT Council
Alliance Executive Director Pat Kelleher’s testimony to the Health IT Council
The Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts represents nearly 150 member agencies employing more than 19,000 workers who provide over 5 million home care visits each year. The services they deliver to approximately 175,000 elderly, mentally ill and otherwise infirm Massachusetts residents should qualify these agencies as “meaningful users” of Electronic Health Records with Health Information Exchange connectivity.
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State Rep. Garballey Letter Opposing MassHealth Rate Cut
Letter from State Rep. Sean Garballey to Gov. Patrick opposing cuts to home health rates past 60 days.
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Alliance Fights Cut to Home Health Rates
Pat Kelleher’s testimony regarding the January 22 hearing in front of the Division of Health Care Finance & Policy on MassHealth’s cut to home health rates.
Despite a rate that barely covers average direct costs, the state is now asking that agencies absorb the expenses associated with a 20% rate cut on approximately 40% of visits. It’s difficult for home health agencies to see equity in such a cut and freeze reflected across the long term care system.
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