The health care access equation

 

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New from CommonWealth Beacon CONSUMER PROTECTION RULING: This week on the Codcast, CommonWealth Beacon reporter Jennifer Smith sits down with Elyse Cherry, CEO of BlueHub Capital, to discuss the recent court decision that BlueHub violated consumer protection statutes around lending. Where does the case go next, and why did lawmakers push for new rules tailored to BlueHub’s controversial lending practices?

Hello,

By many measures, Massachusetts has some of the best health care in the country. About 97 percent of residents have health insurance. We have fewer breast and colon cancer deaths per 100,000 people than other states. More adults and children here can access dental care. Our infant mortality rate is well below the national average.

And yet the stories of what’s not working – a crisis in the primary care system, the closure of maternity units, long waits to find a mental health provider, the rising cost of premiums – serve as a reminder that our health system isn’t really working for everyone. Massachusetts may be home to some of the most cutting-edge medical research institutions and best hospitals in the world, but for many that care feels like it’s a world away.

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Today, CommonWealth Beacon is launching a monthlong project focusing on the issues Massachusetts residents face in accessing health care. We're taking a look at a variety of different barriers – cost, geographic, and administrative to name just a few – and bringing together voices from across the Commonwealth.

This morning, we published a first-person essay by Kendra Winner, whose son suffered a traumatic brain injury. Kendra shares with us the byzantine process of getting coverage for the medical care her son's doctors say he needs. Over the next four weeks, we'll have stories about increasing ER wait times and what they say about the state of primary care in Massachusetts, an in-depth look at where medical centers are disappearing, what happens when a hospital closes, and the view from community health centers.

We also want to hear from you. Last week, we asked you to share your stories about navigating the health care system, the barriers you've encountered, and the problems you see that policymakers can address. Thank you to everyone who responded. If you'd like to participate, there’s still time. Simply click on the link below.

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With gratitude,

Laura Colarusso

Editor, CommonWealth Beacon

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After ruling on consumer protection violations, BlueHub digs in its heels This week on the Codcast, CommonWealth Beacon reporter Jennifer Smith talks with Elyse Cherry, CEO of BlueHub Capital, to discuss the recent court decision that BlueHub violated consumer protection statutes around lending. Where does the case go next, and why did lawmakers push for new rules tailored to BlueHub’s controversial lending practices? LISTEN NOW

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What We're Reading CANNABIS COMMISSION: A judge has ruled that state Treasurer Deborah Goldberg should not have removed Shannon O'Brien, the former chair of the Cannabis Control Commission, from her position. Judge Robert Gordon’s ruling came after a review of some 3,000 pages of documents related to O’Brien’s tenure on the commission. (New England Public Media)  EDUCATION: The Concord-Carlisle school district has taken steps to outline the proper usage of artificial intelligence across the district, directing teachers to incorporate the “ethical use of generative AI into relevant aspects of the K-12 curriculum.” The district is also prohibiting the use of ChatGPT on school computers, opting to pay for Google Gemini, as officials believe it’s a higher quality product.  (The Concord Bridge)  ENVIRONMENT: Northern Berkshire County is experiencing moderate drought, according to the US Drought Monitor, while much of the rest of the region remains in pre-drought conditions. Officials have recorded only about six inches of rain at the Harriman-and-West Airport in North Adams since the beginning of June. (The Berkshire Eagle – paywall)  COURTS: The Gabriel House, an assisted living facility in Fall River, is facing its seventh lawsuit after a deadly fire there killed 10 people and injured dozens more. The latest suit, filed by a former resident, alleges the facility “was not properly managed, staffed, maintained, or supervised.” (MassLive)  MBTA COMMUNITIES: Marblehead officials are expecting the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to reject the town’s request to be exempted from the MBTA Communities Act. Select board chair Dan Fox and member Erin Noonan discussed the request with Housing Secretary Ed Augustus and said they were told the state has “no interest or plan” to issue an exemption. (The Marblehead Current)

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