Health Care Reform

Doctors Raise Concerns About Vermont Health Care Reforms

Pat Bradley — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 21:57:29 +0000

A group of physicians opposed to Vermont’s move to create a single-payer health care system is warning that planned changes could drive practitioners out of the state.

Feds Delay Health Exchanges, Vermont Moves Forward

Pat Bradley — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:33:08 +0000

Implementation of health care exchanges, a key facet of the Affordable Care Act, is being delayed in states where the federal government is controlling them. The move is not expected to affect Vermont’s rollout of its state controlled system.

Massachusetts Health Policy Official Discusses Priorities

Paul Tuthill — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 02:56:52 +0000

Massachusetts ,which pioneered universal access to health insurance, is now beginning the next phase of healthcare reform: reining in the run-away costs. The executive director of the new agency responsible for implementing the state’s cost containment law was in Springfield on Thursday.

Critics Slam Health Care Financing Plan

Pat Bradley — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 23:20:00 +0000

The Shumlin Administration released its Health Care Reform Financing Plan late last week. This week a group of advocates and Republican lawmakers criticized the report, saying it offered no real outline for financing the state’s proposed single payer health care system.

Vermont Health Exchange Receives Conditional Federal Approval

Pat Bradley — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 17:20:00 +0000

Vermont has received conditional federal approval for its plan to create a consumer-friendly health insurance exchange.

Vermont is among a number of states that have received word from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that they are compliant with regulations, and have appropriately outlined timelines that will allow them to have a health exchange running by October 1.

Federal Grant To Help Low Income Nursing Students

Paul Tuthill — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 22:30:00 +0000

A small college in Springfield Massachusetts has been awarded a federal grant for its nursing school. It will help respond to a national call for a more highly educated and ethnically diverse workforce in nursing. WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports

Blair Horner: A New Attack on Health Care

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 19:28:11 +0000

No sooner had the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in support of the constitutionality of the federal health care reform law, than a new attack was launched on health coverage for the poor.

One provision of the Affordable Care Act dramatically expanded the Medicaid program – which provides health insurance for the poor. The ACA requires that states have to expand coverage to those who make just above poverty level. If a state refused the expansion, the federal government would withdraw its funding of that state’s program.

Blair Horner: Health Care Reform Takes a Big Step Forward

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 19:08:02 +0000

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the federal health care reform law which is critical to improving access to quality, affordable health care for people with cancer and their families.

The ruling is a victory for cancer patients and survivors nationwide, who for decades have been denied health coverage, charged far more than they can afford for lifesaving care, and forced to spend their life savings on necessary treatment, simply because they have a pre-existing condition.

Effects of Healthcare Reform on Berkshire County

Lucas Willard — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 22:00:00 +0000

The Federal Health Care Law has people divided across the country, but how will it affect access to care in Massachusetts -a state with its own insurance mandate in place since 2006? WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports…

The Politics Of The Health Care Ruling In The Massachusetts US Senate Race

Paul Tuthill — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:32:02 +0000

WAMC"s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill spoke with Springfield Massachusetts based political consultant Anthony Cignoli, who commented on the political impact of Thursday's US Supreme Court ruling.