We need new revenue to maintain Massachusetts’ crumbling transportation system. But Gov. Deval Patrick’s new blueprint gives the same old interest groups the tools to repeat the mistakes that got us into this mess in the first place.[...]

While Governor Patrick has been pleading with the Legislature to act on his February 2011 payment reform bill that would move our health care system towards global payments and accountable care organizations, his MassHealth (Medicaid) office has moved in the opposite direction. (You can read my testimony on the Governor’s bill here) In March 2011, the MassHealth program changed their default enrollment policy for new enrollees that did not affirmatively select a managed care option–either [...]

http://www.heraldnews.com/newsnow/x66783145/GUEST-OPINION-Patricks-economic-development-plan-is-flawed Gov. Deval Patrick’s new economic development plan is well intended and for  the most part worthy. Released last month by the state’s Economic Development  Planning Council, “Choosing to Compete in the 21st Century” is welcome evidence  that the governor understands that Massachusetts can only address the state’s  persistent unemployment and generate revenues for public services by making the  [...]

Today marks the 6th extension granted to the Commonwealth for the Medicaid waiver that serves as the foundation for our 2006 reform. I have written about this before here and here. As a review, the Massachusetts MassHealth 1115 waiver from the federal government allowed the 2006 health reform to become a reality financially. The waiver was last negotiated by the Patrick Administration in 2008, and was extended until June 30, 2011. From SHNS this morning ($): HIGH-STAKES MEDICAID TALKS DRAG ON: S[...]

My now monthly blog post wondering if there will be agreement soon between the Obama Administration and the Patrick Administration on a multi-year extension of the Massachusetts health care waiver. As a review, the Massachusetts MassHealth 1115 waiver from the federal government allowed the 2006 health reform to become a reality. The waiver was last negotiated by the Patrick Administration in 2008, and was extended until June 30, 2011 at that tome. Quietly this summer, the new deadline was pushe[...]

This post was co-written by Michael Morisy. During this year’s budget debate, Pioneer asked many questions about the reality behind optimistic health care cost predictions which, if flawed, could leave the state facing a $900 million budget hole next year alone. The passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) could make things even worse down the line – if it survives judicial challenges. But as much as we’d like to share the state’s optimism, we have had [...]