THE ALLIANCE OF MASSACHUSETTS SAFETY NET     HOSPITALS HOSTS LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION

Boston, MA – Cambridge Health Alliance, and other Massachusetts Safety Net Hospitals, hosted a legislative reception at the State House on Monday, April 25, to advocate for improved health care funding in the 2006 state budget. The issue is timely as the Massachusetts House of Representatives begin its budget debate this week.

The Alliance of Safety Net Hospitals includes 9 Massachusetts health systems and 75 affiliated community health centers that care for a disproportionate share of low-income and uninsured people.

Speakers at the event included: Senate President Robert E. Travaglini; Senator Therese Murray, chair, Committee on Ways & Means; Senator Richard T. Moore, Chair, Committee on Health Care Financing; and Representative Patricia A. Walrath, Chair, Committee on Health Care Financing.

Everett was well-represented by Representative Edward Connolly, Senator Barrios’ office and numerous staff from Cambridge Health Alliance and Whidden Memorial Hospital.

"This event was the easiest thing I could do to show my support for Whidden Memorial Hospital,” said Representative Connolly. “I recognize the constant effort made by the staff and the great care given to patients who visit Whidden to get their healthcare."

Cambridge Health Alliance, and the other health systems who are part of the Alliance of Safety Net Hospitals, provide 62% of all hospital uncompensated care (the care of people who do not have health insurance) and 34% of hospital Medicaid services in Massachusetts.

“With more and more people turning to local community health services, we should be doing everything we can to support the kind of quality, accessible health care that Cambridge Health Alliance provides to the people of Everett,” said Senator Jarrett T. Barrios.

Key messages delivered to state legislators included adequately funding hospitals who provide care to uninsured patients; to enroll the more than 100,000 in Medicaid who meet current guidelines but are currently unenrolled; and to restore covered benefits and populations, including dental services and legal immigrants.

"We thank our area legislators for their strong support of local health care and Whidden Memorial Hospital. Funding for important programs like Medicaid and health care for the uninsured hinges on the budget debate ahead," said Dennis D. Keefe, Chief Executive Officer, Cambridge Health Alliance.

The Alliance of Massachusetts Safety Net Hospitals was formed in 2003 to promote access to critical patient care at our safety net institutions via public policy and government advocacy in both the Uncompensated Care Pool and Medicaid programs. In addition to Boston Medical Center and Cambridge Health Alliance, the Alliance includes the Southcoast Health System, Lawrence General Hospital, Brockton Hospital, Quincy Medical Center, UMass Health Care System, Northern Berkshire Health Systems, and Harrington Memorial Hospital.
 

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