The Importance of CHIP Reauthorization for Massachusetts

This report describes the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in Massachusetts and its role as part of MassHealth. Though there is no expiration date for CHIP in federal law, Congress has authorized funding of the program through September 30, 2017. Without Congressional action, a majority of states, including Massachusetts, will exhaust their current federal CHIP allocation by March 2018. This report discusses the importance of CHIP and the broader health policy debate, including reauthorization, now taking place in Washington.

The MassHealth Waiver 2016–2022: Delivering Reform

This issue brief describes the key elements of the most recent MassHealth 1115 waiver extension, including the shift to a delivery system centered on Accountable Care Organizations and Community Partners, a Delivery System Reform Incentive Program, the redesigned Safety Net Care Pool, and the expansion of services for treatment of substance use disorders. It concludes with a discussion of implications of the new system for major stakeholder groups.

UPDATED MassHealth: The Basics (June 2016)

UPDATED (June 2016) chart pack produced by the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute (MMPI), a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, in partnership with the Center for Health Law and Economics at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. This updated edition includes MassHealth enrollment as of January 2016 and spending from state fiscal year 2015 and is made available in PDF and Power Point formats to facilitate its use in presentations.

The Foundation hosted a webinar with authors Bob Seifert and Carol Gyurina from the Center for Health Law and Economics, University of Massachusetts Medical School to review the updated summary data on MassHealth enrollment and spending on Wednesday, June 29, 2016.

Click here to access the webinar slides.

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Comparison of the FY2017 House and Senate Budget Proposals for MassHealth (Medicaid) and Health Reform Programs

This brief describes the Massachusetts Senate fiscal year (FY) 2017 budget proposal for MassHealth (Medicaid) and other subsidized health coverage programs and compares it to the proposal put forth by the House. It is the third in a series of FY2017 budget briefs produced by the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute (MMPI) in partnership with Health Management Associates. MMPI will be publishing budget briefs at several stages in the FY2017 budget process as proposals move through the state legislature.

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Health Care and Social Service Spending and Outcomes: How Does Massachusetts Compare with Other States?

International comparisons of industrialized countries show that those with a higher ratio of social service spending relative to health care spending have better health outcomes. This finding is consistent with decades of research underscoring the importance of social, behavioral, and environmental factors on health outcomes. This report, prepared by a team led by Elizabeth Bradley and Lauren Taylor of the Yale Global Health Leadership Institute, examines the link between state-level spending on health care and social services and health behaviors and outcomes for Massachusetts compared with neighboring states and national averages.

Massachusetts Long-Term Services and Supports: Achieving a New Vision for MassHealth

This report, prepared by Manatt Health, lays out a vision for MassHealth long-term services and supports (LTSS) that is person-centered, integrated, sustainable, accountable, and actionable, providing Massachusetts policymakers with a set of options to consider when tackling some of the most intractable challenges facing the Commonwealth’s LTSS system.

The vision and policy areas addressed in the report were identified through the development of a data chart pack and supplemental interviews with consumers, government officials, community and institutional LTSS providers, health plans, and workforce representatives.

Findings from this report were featured at a Foundation event held on May 10, 2016, MassHealth Matters II: Options for Reforming Long-Term Services and Supports. Click here to learn more about the event.

House of Representatives FY2017 Budget Proposal for MassHealth (Medicaid) and Health Reform Programs

This brief describes the Massachusetts House of Representatives fiscal year (FY) 2017 budget proposal for MassHealth (Medicaid) and other subsidized health coverage programs. It is the second in a series of FY2017 budget briefs produced by the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute (MMPI) in partnership with Health Management Associates. MMPI will be publishing budget briefs at several stages in the FY2017 budget process as proposals move through the state legislature.

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MassHealth Matters II: Long-Term Services & Supports: Opportunities for MassHealth

This chart pack, prepared by Manatt Health Solutions, provides an examination of the current state of long-term services and supports (LTSS), an area identified as a priority for reform by MassHealth (Massachusetts Medicaid). MassHealth accounts for nearly half of all spending on LTSS, amounting to $4.5 billion annually, and equal to 12 percent of the state budget. Using previously unpublished LTSS data, the chart pack examines MassHealth LTSS spending and utilization, access and affordability, workforce capacity and quality. It also includes a summary of opportunities to improve delivery and coordination of LTSS.

Findings from this chart pack were featured at a Foundation event held on December 2, 2015, MassHealth Matters II: Long-Term Services & Supports (LTSS): Opportunities for MassHealth.

UPDATED MassHealth: The Basics - Facts and Trends

UPDATED (July 2015) chart pack, prepared by the Center for Health Law and Economics at the UMass Medical School, includes summary data on MassHealth enrollment and spending and is designed to support use of the charts in presentations. Updated edition includes MassHealth enrollment as of March 2015 and spending from state fiscal year 2014.

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