While research scientists and clinicians focus their war on cancer, this has become a war for cancer dollars.
John E. McDonough
Posted inOpinion
Overall, we think the Steward outcome is pretty good
The faster Apollo is out the door the better. Though Apollo will certainly contest the Commonwealth’s $4.5 million fair market valuation for St. Elizabeth’s, state officials seem determined that any fight over money will not interrupt plans for an immediate seizure of the Brighton land and buildings.
Posted inOpinion
For-profit medicine is ruining Massachusetts health care
While much of Massachusetts’ medical care system remains resolutely non-profit, the signs of for-profit encroachment are slow, silent, and everywhere.
Posted inOpinion
The state’s options with Steward on the brink
State government needs to re-engage in statewide health system planning. We need functioning markets in health and medical care, and we need intelligent and thoughtful statewide planning that is more proactive and less reactive.
Posted inOpinion
Some thoughts on how to deal with the Steward situation
STEWARD HEALTH CARE appears to be in serious financial trouble. In some ways, it’s surprising the for-profit health care system — with 33 hospitals, including eight in Massachusetts, plus a physicians network — has survived as long as it has. In August 2022, the system’s dire financials showed a negative net worth of $1.5 billion. That figure is […]
Posted inHealth Care
For Affordable Care Act at 13, reversals of fortune
TODAY MARKS THE Affordable Care Act’s 13th birthday since its signing by President Obama on March 23, 2020, a landmark moment that our current president famously noted at the time with colorful zeal. Massachusetts has particular reason to take note of today’s anniversary, as our 2006 universal health insurance law was among the ACA’s most important […]
Posted inOpinion
DPH gets it right on Mass General Brigham
THE LONG-RUNNING power struggle between Mass General Brigham, the state’s largest health and hospital system, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts took a decisive turn this past week. Department of Public Health regulators unveiled their recommendations regarding Mass General Brigham’s expansion proposal that involves five sites and facilities across Greater Boston. The hospital system filed three […]
Posted inOpinion
Moment of truth for state’s health cost benchmark
A MOMENT OF TRUTH is now here for Mass General Brigham, as well as for the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission, the Department of Public Health, and for health insurance premium payers across the state. The immediate issue coming to a head by March is whether DPH will allow Mass General Brigham to further expand its […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
2 takes on how to protect our health and democracy
Push back deadlines and reduce signature requirements By John E. McDonough, Paul Hattis, and David K. Jones The ongoing COVID-19 global epidemic is having an unexpected negative impact on our state’s democracy. Many political campaigns across the Commonwealth and the nation have suspended activities. State leaders need to take immediate action to ensure that the […]
Posted inHealth Care
On health performance, Mass. not such a shiny star
MANY BAY STATE health care cognoscenti and politicos like to brag about Massachusetts health statistics. For years now, Massachusetts has performed well, at or near the top, in surveys of key health indicators among the 50 US states. For example, the United Health Foundation’s 2016 America’s Health Rankings had Massachusetts in 1st place (though we […]