August 5, 2005

Partners and Blue Cross and Blue Shield team up to support comprehensive health reform

More than 300 Partners HealthCare employees have responded to a call to become active in advocating for comprehensive health care reform in Massachusetts this fall. Partners and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts are working together to promote comprehensive health care reform to expand coverage for the uninsured, manage costs and provide fair reimbursement to providers caring for Medicaid and uncompensated care pool patients. Caregivers and staff throughout Partners hospitals and health centers are advocating for health care reform by writing letters to their state legislators and signing up to participate in a range of advocacy activities on Beacon Hill and in the community.

With more than 450,000 jobs, the health care field is a key driver of the Massachusetts economy. The state is home to some of the world's leading hospitals, medical schools and biotechnology companies and a top recipient of federal research dollars.

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Senate President Robert E. Travaglini, House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation's Roadmap to Coverage, Health Care for All and the Health Care for Massachusetts ballot initiative have all recognized the need for major health care reform, and experts believe some kind of legislation will advance this fall. ''Who gets coverage, what services are covered and how much it costs is one test of success and failure," says James J. Mongan, MD, president and CEO of Partners. "But managing health care costs and providing fair reimbursement to health care providers are equally important if we want to keep our health care system stable and strong for the future and provide real, lasting reform."

In May, Mongan and hospital presidents throughout the Partners network sent a broadcast e-mail inviting caregivers and staff to help in the effort by joining in a new advocacy network. As the health care reform discussion heats up, more caregivers and staff are encouraged to get involved. To become part of the new advocacy network and receive regular updates about issues of coverage, cost management and reimbursement, visit www.massachusettshealthreform.org.