Hello on this sunny, cold day!
Today is National Poetry at Work Day! Reading and writing poetry has many benefits: from providing an outlet for creative expression to fostering the exploration of one’s relationship with the world. Haikus and limericks are the easiest entry into poetry writing – and also very fun.
Together we strive
Protecting and preserving
Access to health care.
Topics for this week’s Health Announce:
- New Date for the January HCWG – Tuesday January 21, 2025, from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm.
- MassHealth cards get a makeover.
- New MassHealth member websites.
- Come out for the Family Homelessness State of the Commonwealth on Thursday!
- Shield law regulatory action.
Be well,
Jennifer Hotchkiss Kaplan
Senior Health Law Attorney
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
1. New Date for the January HCWG – Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 3:00pm to 4:30pm.
Governor Healey is expected to file her FY2026 budget, “House 1,” on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. To permit time to analyze the budget and draft a timely summary, we are moving the Health Care Workgroup (HCWG) meeting from Wednesday to Tuesday, January 21, 2025. The invitation with the link to the new HCWG went out last week. Please contact me (jkaplan@mlri.org) or Kate (ksymmonds@mlri.org) with agenda items or any questions or concerns.
2. MassHealth cards get a makeover.
MassHealth begins issuing MassHealth member cards with a new design and updated language this January 2025. Images of the new card can be found in the All Provider Bulletin 399. Providers are expected to accept all valid versions of the card, as well as valid digital member cards presented using the MyServices portal.
3. New MassHealth member websites.
Modelled after the website for Pregnant MassHealth Members, MassHealth launched three new member-specific websites:
MassHealth members who are experiencing homelessness – For members experiencing homelessness, this website provides information about informing MassHealth about one’s situation in order to stay covered and describes available services to address health related social needs.
MassHealth members recently released from jail or prison – This website provides information to members released from jail or prison about their 12 months of continuous coverage, as well as links to the Community Partners Program and behavioral health and substance use disorder resources.
MassHealth for children and young adults – Members under 19 years of age are eligible for 12 months of continuous coverage. This website provides information about coverage for infants, behavioral health resources, and resources for children with special needs or disabilities.
4. Come out for the Family Homelessness State of the Commonwealth on Thursday!
Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, in front of the State House at 24 Beacon Street, Boston, please join The People’s State of the Commonwealth: Family Homelessness. This is a call on the Legislature to stop the cuts to Emergency Assistance shelter and to provide needed supplemental funding for shelter, rehousing supports, and services. See the attached flyer for more information.
5. Shield law regulatory action.
To protect Massachusetts residents’ access to reproductive and gender-affirming care after the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Massachusetts passed An Act Expanding Protections for Reproductive and Gender Affirming Care, M.G.L. c. 112, § 77. This act, the “Shield Law,” protects Massachusetts-based providers from civil and criminal actions in other states, including from out-of-state investigations or professional discipline. Various licensing boards under the Department of Public Health (DPH) – Boards of Registration for nursing, medicine, pharmacy, physician assistants, and psychologists – are meeting through January and February to issue emergency regulatory amendments to codify the Sheild Law. The first approved emergency amendments to regulations come from the DPH Board of Registration in Nursing. The Healey Administration approved the regulations last week: 244 CMR 7.00 for investigations, complaints, and board action; and 244 CMR 8.00 for licensure requirements.
