The Massachusetts Hospital Association urged Gov. Deval Patrick in a letter to halt changes that would result in $40 million in Medicaid reductions for state hospitals, calling the policy a "direct barrier to the reform effort in Massachusetts," according to a Boston Globe report.
According to MHA President Lynn Nicholas, Massachusetts hospitals are underpaid by an average of 29 percent for the cost of care for Medicaid patients. The new changes, which would be effective October 1, would "represent the continued practice of shifting government costs onto providers," Ms. Nicholas said in the letter.
A spokesperson for Massachusetts' Health and Human Services said changes to Medicaid, notwithstanding the expansion that is afforded under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, are part of the state's effort to control healthcare costs and simplify the healthcare system, according to the report.
According to MHA President Lynn Nicholas, Massachusetts hospitals are underpaid by an average of 29 percent for the cost of care for Medicaid patients. The new changes, which would be effective October 1, would "represent the continued practice of shifting government costs onto providers," Ms. Nicholas said in the letter.
A spokesperson for Massachusetts' Health and Human Services said changes to Medicaid, notwithstanding the expansion that is afforded under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, are part of the state's effort to control healthcare costs and simplify the healthcare system, according to the report.
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