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2012 - 2014Newsletters (Archive)
2014 Newsletters
December 2014
- US Orders Mass to Address Food Stamp Photo ID Confusion
- New Proposed Assisted Living Rules Proving Controversial
- New State Guideline Suggests DCF Filing for All Unexplained Infant Deaths
- State Deal Pledges Better Care at Bridgewater Hospital
- Accessing a Loved One’s Digital Estate Can be Difficult
- Audit Finds $35 Million in Questionable MassHealth Limited Payments
- Administration Designates Three West African Countries for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- Obama’s Immigration Expansion Does Not Include Access to Most Federal Health and Economic Support Programs
- New Plan to House Boston Homeless Displaced by Long Island Evacuation
- American Psychiatric Association Raising Awareness of Mental Health Parity Law
- Program Highlights
- Pet Loss Resources
- Boston Marathon Bombing Trial Approaching- Survivor Support Services Update
- Federal Student Aid Total and Permanent Disability Discharge (Loan Forgiveness)
- Services Offer a Means to Foil Widespread Elder Fraud
- Health Care Coverage
- Medicare Reminder: One-Time Transition Drug Refills
- Medicare Pilots Pre-Authorization for Non-Emergency Use Of Ambulances In PA, NJ and SC
- Affordable Care Act/MA Health Connector
- Mass. Health Connector Extends Payment Deadline and Application and Payment Tips
- Policy & Social Issues
- Patrick Announces New Funds to Reduce Chronic Homelessness
- The Huge Health Care Gap Between Whites and Minorities is Starting to Narrow
- Automatic Income Tax Rate Cuts and Impact on State Services
- Boston Homeless Numbers Worst of Most Major Cities
- Doctor for Poor Chosen as MA Public Health Commissioner
- Of Clinical Interest
November 2014
- City Plan for Homeless Crisis After Bridge Closure
- Proposed Assisted Living Protections
- Obama’s Executive Action on Immigration
- The Governor's 9C Budget Cuts
- Program Highlights
- Courageous Parents Network
- justice Americorps – Legal Aid to Unaccompanied Immigrant Minors to Launch in December
- One-Stop Financial Centers Spreading Throughout Eastern Mass
- Health Care Coverage
- OneCare Struggles
- Medicare Final Rules on Paying Physicians for Managing Multiple Chronic Conditions and Improved Colonoscopy Coverage
- Medicare Will Continue to Allow Coverage for Upgradable ALS Devices
- Report Compares Quality of Medicare Advantage with Traditional Medicare
- Advocacy Tip: Premium Assistance from MassHealth for Private Health Insurance
- Affordable Care Act/MA Health Connector
- New Mass Health Connector Website Works, But Some Have Problems
- Policy & Social Issues
- Homeless Population in Mass. Rising Faster than Any Other State; Baker Outlines Plan
- New Campaign to Strengthen EAEDC Assistance
- Bullying Is Ageless- Study Finds Conflict and Violence Widespread in Nursing Homes
- Debt and Resulting Poor Credit Barriers to Rising from Poverty
- Kinship Foster Care Helps Kids Thrive
October 2014
- Fuel Assistance Season Begins November 1
- MRVP Waitlist Lottery Open Through November 3
- TAFDC Expands Pregnant Teen Eligibility
- SNAP Business Process Redesign - Move to First Available Worker Model
- Harbor Bridge Closing Causes Boston Shelter & Detox Shortage
- Housing Assistance - Review of Key MA Programs for Families in New Fiscal Year
- Consumer Alert- Electricity Competitive Suppliers: Read the Fine Print
- Program Highlights
- Naloxone Kit Available at MGH for Opioid Overdoses
- Text4baby- Free Enhanced Text Messaging Service to Support Pregnant Women and New Mothers
- Roca Antiviolence Program Expands into Boston Using “Pay-for-Success” Contract
- Health Care Coverage
- Mass Offers Medical Services Prices Online
- MassHealth Inpatient Coverage – Now No 20-day Coverage Limitation
- ACA Implementation – Year 2
- Policy & Social Issues
- Of Clinical Interest
September 2014
- Free Monthly Boston Immigration Clinics
- New Federal and State Autism Coverage Mandates
- Social Security Reverses Decision to Stop Sending Verification Letters by Postal Mail
- Elder Advocates Raise Concerns on Assisted Living
- Program Highlights
- Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group Offers Financial Assistance
- justice AmeriCorps- New Program to Provide Legal Services to Unaccompanied Child Immigrants
- Health Care Coverage
- MassHealth Increases Bed-Hold Days to 20
- Medicare Open Enrollment
- ACA Implementation
- Policy & Social Issues
- 'Dying in America' IOM Report Calls for Major Reform
- Amended Partners Deal Would Impose Stricter Price Caps; Judge Delays Decision
- One Way Insurers Are Shifting Costs to the Sick- Higher Co-Pays for Generic Drugs
- Of Clinical Interest
- Shopping and Checkbook Balancing Help Discriminate Between Normal Cognitive Function and Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Commonly Held Myths About End-of-Life Issues
- Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Little Discussed
- Mythbusters- Complementary and Alternative Treatments in Cancer
- Remember Statistics Class- Why Much of the Medical Literature Is Wrong
August 2014
- New State Substance Abuse Law
- New State Domestic Violence Law
- The RIDE In-Person Assessment May be Deterring Elders
- Heirs’ Rights When Homeowner Had Reverse Mortgage
- Medicare Star Ratings Allow Nursing Homes to Game the System
- Women Committed Under Section 35 May Go to Prison
- Program Highlights
- Hospitality Homes Puts Families Up with Host Families
- Comcast Will Forgive Outstanding Bills for Low-Income Families
- Boston University Program Allows Kin to Consent to Donation of Skeletal Remains
- A SNAP Cookbook: Good and Cheap
- Health Care Coverage
- Medicare to Start Covering MD Coordination of Care Services for Chronically Ill Beneficiaries
- ACA Implementation
- Those in Temporary Coverage, Commonwealth Care and Qualified Health Plans Will Need to Reapply During Open Enrollment (Starting in November)
- State Chooses hCentive for Health Insurance Exchange Website
- Policy & Social Issues
- Increasing Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities in MA
- SSI for Children now Outstrips Welfare; Debate Intensifies
- Black Infant Death Rates Down but Gap Persists
- Medicare- Not Such a Budget-Buster Anymore
- Of Clinical Interest
- Virtual Therapy Sessions Make Mental-Health Visits More Available
July 2014
- Mass Welfare Law – Important Changes to TAFDC and EAEDC
- Emergency Assistance (Family Shelter) Family Guide
- Boston Housing Authority New Intake Process and Business Hours
- Social Security and SSI Post-DOMA: Detailed Explanation (see also Medicaid changes below)
- FY 15 State Budget – Social Service-Related Provisions
- First Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Immigration) Cases to Expire in September - Renewal Instructions Released
- Long Waits for English Classes
- How a Parent’s Health-Care Bills Could Hurt You: How to Sign Contracts as Power of Attorney
- DCF Hires 230 New Workers, But Caseloads Remain High
- Student Debt Help is Often Abusive
- Mayor Walsh Announces Plan to Aid Alzheimer’s Victims
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- MassHealth Denture Coverage to be Restored in May 2015
- MassHealth Reminder- Will MassHealth Take My House?
- Medicare Reminder- Durable Medical Equipment Supplier's Set-Up and Delivery Obligations
- More Windsor Guidance from CMS on Same Sex Spouses and Medicaid (see also accompanying story on Social Security and SSI above)
- ACA Implementation
- Policy & Social Issues
- Of Clinical Interest
June 2014
- Social Security Closes Offices as Demand is on Upswing
- State Filings for Custody of Children Soaring
- HomeBASE (Housing Assistance) Recipients at End of Benefits May Be Eligible for EA Family Shelter
- Unemployment System Reportedly Working and Uncovers Fraud
- Massachusetts has Backlog of Death Certificates
- Bridgewater State Hospital - Surprise Joint Commission Inspection, Accreditation at Risk; Patrick Unveils Overhaul
- Early Voting Coming to Massachusetts
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Transgender Health Care Coverage Gets Big Boosts
- Medicare, Social Security & Same-Sex Marriage: Where Do We Stand?
- Medicare Reminder: Rehab Coverage Is Now Available for Chronic Conditions- Improvement Standard Overturned
- Medicare Reminder: Eye Care Coverage
- Medicare- New CMS Guidance on Part D vs. Hospice Coverage
- ACA Implementation
- Policy & Social Issues
- Report- Social Security Judges Rubber-Stamp Claims
- High Court Says Children Over 21 Must Go to Back of Visa Line
- Opioid Abuse: Patrick Airs $20m State Plan and 5 States to Jointly Combat Overdoses
- State Job Training Programs Declining in Massachusetts
- Rivals warn Partners' Growth Will Raise Costs
- Opinion: DCF Cannot Be Viewed in Isolation
- Of Clinical Interest
May 2014
- Regulators Find Arbour HRI Deficient Again
- Child Welfare League of America’s DCF Quality Improvement Report Released
- DCF Social Worker Exodus
- Homeless Court
- Experts Call 70 the REAL Retirement Age
- Advance Directives- Keep them Safe Accessible and Up-to-Date
- Bridgewater State Hospital Under Scrutiny
- Watch for Fake Utility Bill Collector Scams & How to Report Fraud
- Ruling gives Detained Immigrants Right to Bail Hearings
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- Hospital Quality Improving; Readmissions Falling
- New Anti-Shackling Law Also Standardizes Treatment of Pregnant Inmates
- Commission Will Study Challenges Faced by Black Males in Boston
- US Mines Medicare PHI to Find Vulnerable in Emergencies
- $84K Treatment Price of New Hep C Drug “Outrageous”
- High-Skilled Immigrants: On Not Wasting Immigrant Capacity
- Of Clinical Interest
April 2014
- Fuel Assistance (LIHEAP) Application Deadline Extended
- Case Corner: SSI Reminder- Helping Patients Keep Full SSI Benefits When Temporarily Institutionalized
- Medicare Benefits Now Available for Same-Sex Married Couples
- SSA Removes Barriers to Transgender Spousal Benefits
- Boston’s Only Public Methadone Clinic Slated to Close
- Senate Panel Hears About Addiction Treatment Gaps
- Paying Taxes If You Don’t Have a SSN - Apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
- Advocacy Tips: Divorce Assistance for Those with Low-Incomes
- How You Can Use Your Social Security Benefits as an Interest-Free Loan
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Medicare Reminder- Medicare PT, OT, Speech Therapy Caps
- ACA Implementation
- Special ACA Enrollment Period for DV Victims Applying for Premium Tax Credits
- Policy & Social Issues
- Health & Wellness
- Of Clinical Interest
March 2014
- State to Distribute $20 Million in Heating Aid
- Governor Declares an Opiate Abuse Emergency- Makes Narcan Available to First Responders and the Public
- Newborn Addiction is Soaring and Ensuring Safety is Difficult
- Veterans Treatment Court Opens in Boston
- The Department of Children & Families (DCF) Crisis
- State Stepping Up Efforts to Reduce EBT Fraud
- Child Poverty Increased in Mass
- Heirs of Reverse Mortgage Holders May Lose the Home
- Program Highlights
- Health Care for All Announces One-Care Ombudsman
- National Association of Home Builders’ Certified Aging in Place Specialists
- Transitions to Work – Job Training for Young Adults with Disabilities
- Health Care Coverage
- How Do I Appeal a Medicare D Coverage Decision
- Contracted Health Plans Reminder
- ACA Implementation
- Open Enrollment Extended for Some; No Open Enrollment Limit for the Most Heavily Subsidized MA Plans
- Correction- ConnectorCare and QHPs will use 2013 FPLs Until Next Open Enrollment
- Connector Enrollment Progress, But Still Ways to Go
- ACA Requires Medicaid Spousal Impoverishment Protections for Medicaid-Funded Home and Community Based Services (Waivers)
- The Health Insurance Subsidy Gap
- Policy & Social Issues
- Health & Wellness
- Of Clinical Interest
- Opinion: With Sobering Statistics Doctor Debunks 12-Step Programs
- Mindfulness Approach Reduces Substance Use Disorder Relapse Risk
- Caregiver Burden Often Overlooked
- Gun-Ownership and Suicide Risk Overlooked in Dementia Patients
- Few Teens Referred for Mental Health Treatment Go Through With It
- Best Therapy for Sexual Abuse-Related PTSD in Adolescent Girls
February 2014
- Victim Compensation Doubles Award Limit for Catastrophic Injuries
- Farm Bill Includes SNAP (Food Stamps) Cuts
- SNAP Medical Expense Standard Deduction Increases March 1
- 2014 Federal Poverty Guidelines Effective March 1
- Regulators Define Rules for SNF Care of Dementia Patients
- Patrick Announces Reforms to Reduce Recidivism
- Ellie Fund- New Application and Expanded Benefits
- Consumer Alert- Electric Competitive Supplier Complaints
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- Medicare ACOs Find Considerable Savings and Quality Improvements
- Patients Need Training on New Health Insurance
- Critics Call for Tamper-Resistant Opiates
- U.S. Drug Czar Urges Police to Carry Heroin Overdose Treatment; State Prosecutor Calls for Over-The-Counter Availability
- Health & Wellness
- Of Clinical Interest
January 2014
- Thousands Exhausting Heating Aid as Temperatures Plunge
- SSA Removes Hold on Some Same-Sex Couple SSI Applications
- Scammers Take Aim at Aging Population
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- Health & Wellness
- Of Clinical Interest
2013 Newsletters
December 2013
- Arbour-HRI Psychiatric Hospital Resumes Taking Patients on Limited Basis
- Unemployment Extension Ending
- MBTA to Reduce RIDE Fare to $3
- eNotification – Optional Alternative to Mailed Notices for TAFDC, EAEDC & SNAP Grantees
- Utility Discount Rates- Which Health Insurance Coverage Types Qualify
- Benefits Reminder: How Do Divorce and Remarriage Affect Social Security Benefits?
- Homeless Employment Program Grants
- Grants to Support Employment Programs for People with Disabilities
- Health Care Coverage
- Affordable Care Act Implementation
- CMS Releases 2014 Medicaid Spousal Impoverishment Limits
- Policy & Social Issues
- Opinion: How Failed Massachusetts Housing Policies are Threatening the State’s Neediest Families
- Low Social Service Spending Linked to Poor US Health Care Outcomes
- The Massachusetts Prevention and Wellness Trust
- Health Policy Commissioner Reflects After First Year Of Cost Control
- Partners-South Shore Deal May Increase Costs
- Of Clinical Interest
November 2013
- State Freezes Admissions at Arbour-HRI
- Seven-Day Temporary Emergency Accommodations Program Funds Nearly Depleted
- MBTA Proposes Fare Cut for The RIDE
- Parity Rules Issued for Mental Health Care
- US Alters Rules to Aid Disabled Air Travelers
- Assisted Living Barely Regulated Nationally
- GED to Become More Rigorous and Fees to Increase
- National Reviews of Centers Rare in Mental Health
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- New Details of Upcoming MassHealth “CarePlus” – Including Transportation Coverage
- Commonwealth Care Coverage Extended for Existing Members
- ACA's Spanish Website Sign-Up Delayed
- Snarls in Retooled Mass. Insurance Site
- ACA Transition Provider Toolkit
- Medicare D: Most People Don’t Switch Plans- At a Cost
- Medicare Premiums and Deductibles Hold Steady for 2014
- Medicare Reminder- Star Rating System May Allow Some to Disenroll Mid-Year
- Policy & Social Issues
- Of Clinical Interest
- ICU Stay Linked to Long-Term Cognitive Impairment
- Chemo Brain- A Decade of Evidence
- Small Study Indicates Cognitive Training Helps 'Chemo Brain' in Cancer Survivors
- Nutrition and Cancer - Helping Patients Improve Outcomes
- Mindfulness May Help Improve Sleep in Cancer Survivors
- Childhood Cancer Survivors Live With Increased Suicide Risk
- New Protocol Aims to Assess Suicide Risk in the ED
October 2013
- New OBRA form
- Fuel Assistance Season is Here and the Winter Moratorium is Coming Soon
- Section 12- New Form and Rules
- DPH Guide to Nursing Home Care Revised
- Nursing Home Residents' Rights- for the LGBT Community
- New Rules Make it Harder for Loan Services to Foreclose
- Using an Annuity to Protect Community Spouse from Impoverishment
- Medical Loans Can Add to the Pain
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- Health & Wellness
- Of Clinical Interest
September 2013
- New TAFDC Learnfare Rules – Families at Risk of Losing Benefits
- Update on Federal Same-Sex Marriage Benefits Post-DOMA
- MRC HomeCare Assist Program Expected to Accept New Referrals in October
- Mass Online Unemployment Service Falling Short
- Nursing Home Deinstitutionalization- “Money Follows the Person” Update
- SNF Involuntary Transfer/Discharge Rights
- SNAP Benefits Will Be Reduced for All Participants
- AIDS Action Rental Assistance Program Suspends Utility Assistance
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- Of Clinical Interest
July/August 2013
- FY14 State Budgets – What it Means for Benefits
- MRC Homemaker Service Closed to New Referrals
- Social Security Now Accepting Claims for Same Sex Benefits and More on Benefits Post-DOMA
- New Resources for Marathon Bombing Victims
- Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card Anti-Fraud Efforts – Including New Photo ID
- Pooled Disability Trusts Protect Assets and Preserve MassHealth and SSI Eligibility
- Key AIDS Agencies Merge
- MBTA Enhanced Travel-Training
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- One Care- MA Pilot Program for Dual-Eligibles Cut Back
- Affordable Care Act/Obamacare Overview Cartoon
- Affordable Care Act (ACA) Implementation Means Big Changes
- ACA Employer Mandate Delayed; Mass Version Repealed
- MassHealth Dental Fillings Benefit to be Restored
- Medicare- New Process for Some Durable Medical Equipment Requests (“Competitive Bidding”)
- Can Patients Protect Themselves From Hospital Medicare Observation Status?
- Policy & Social Issues
- Of Clinical Interest
June 2013
- Supreme Court Strikes Down Defense of Marriage Act Provision- Opens Way to Federal Benefits for Same-Sex Married Couples
- Arbour Mental Health Clinics Cited
- MA Unemployment Insurance Switching to Debit Card or Direct Deposit Payments Exclusively
- Sequester Taking Toll on Head Start
- Samaritans Closes Framingham Offices
- Boston Police Issue Transgender Search Guidelines
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Commonwealth CHOICE Open Enrollment Periods (Note: Plans Change Again in Spring 2014)
- Medicare Reminder- Home Care Coverage Requirements
- MassHealth Reminder- Programs That Cover Care at Home
- Policy & Social Issues
- State Likely to Start Fiscal Year with Interim Budget
- House Investigators Fault Disability Rulings as Lax
- State Senate Drafts Welfare Overhaul
- Health Law Led to $2.1 Billion in Consumer Savings
- Medicare Trustees Report Improved Finances- Are Cuts Really Necessary?
- Report of Massachusetts Commission on Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
- State Targets Gap in Federal Health Care Coverage
- Other States’ ACA Policies Exclude Some of Poorest
- Federal Health Law Falls Short of Fair Pricing
- Opinion: Is Health Insurance an Antidepressant?
- Of Clinical Interest
May 2013
- Sequester Hitting Housing Subsidies
- Mental Services for Teens Avert Cuts
- More Bad News in Welfare Audit
- 5 Things to Know About Being an Executor
- 25 million Loan Aimed at Saving Homes
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- Of Clinical Interest
April 2013
- Cambridge Health Alliance To Cut Pedi Mental Health Beds
- US Hospitals Send Hundreds of Immigrant Patients Back to Home Countries to Curb Cost
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- RIDE Fare Increase Protests
- Mass Businesses Don’t Like Insurance Decision
- HCAN Says Pharma Charges Medicare D Inflated Prices
- New Report Examines Ways to Reduce Barriers to Receiving Long Term Care
- Obama Proposes Social Security Cuts
- Opinion: President’s Budget Seeks Too Costly Compromise for People with Medicare
- Opinion: Huge Win for the Insurance Lobby & Loss for Sensible Health Policy
- Health & Wellness
- Of Clinical Interest
March 2013
- Fuel Assistance Funds May Dry Up as Winter Moratorium Ends
- Amid Outcry Faulkner Modifies Inpatient Detox Closing
- DTA ‘Accountability Crisis’
- Fallon Strikes Deal with Partners
- Guide for Persons with Mental Health Conditions Who Want to Work
- T May Need Additional Fare Increase
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- TAFDC Benefits Earning Power Declines
- Potential Impact of Sequester on Social Security Staffing
- Boston Homelessness Increases and Cuts Loom
- Some Preschools Seats Empty After State Aid Freeze
- Choosing Wisely Urges MDs and Patients to Limit Unnecessary Tests
- States Urged to Expand Medicaid With Private Insurance
- Opinion - Medicare Savings can be Found in Overpayments to Private Plans
- Health & Wellness
- Of Clinical Interest
February 2013
- Sequestration and Public Benefits
- Housing Protections for DV Survivors Enacted
- Congress Votes to Reauthorize VAWA
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- Health & Wellness
- Of Clinical Interest
January 2013
- Changes to the Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies
- New Social Security Online Services
- MGH Service Animal Policy Updated
- Same Sex Married Couples Who Apply Now May Get Retroactive Social Security Benefits if DOMA Overturned
- Free Tax Preparation Assistance
- Healthgrades: Hospital Outcomes Ratings
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- Mass Medical Marijuana Listening Sessions
- Repairing the Mental Health System
- Readmission Penalty Hits Safety Net & Teaching Hospitals Hard
- Cliff Deal Delays 26.5% Medicare Cut, Saves Medicaid Raise
- New National Strategy Aims to Transform Attitudes, End Suicides
- Free Health Clinics For Uninsured Thrive In Mass
- Hospitals and Insurers on Hook for MA Health Costs
- Income Tax Cuts and the Budget Deficit in Massachusetts
- Patrick Targets Local Public Housing Authorities
- Immigration Reform - Bipartisan Senate Blueprint and Obama Plan
- Amid gentrification affordable units in Chinatown
- Health & Wellness
- Of Clinical Interest
2012 Newsletters
December 2012
- The RIDE In Person Assessment Goes Live and NEW Immediate Service for Medical Necessity
- EA Family Shelter Rules Finalized
- Southwest Airlines Grant Program- Renewed for 2013
- NEW EBT Card Replacement Fees and Exemptions
- 2013 Social Security COLAs
- Boston City Hall Goes Mobile
- Vehicle Registration and Immigrants- Update
- Mass Fails to Curb SNF Use of Antipsychotics
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- Of Clinical Interest
November 2012
- The RIDE Issuing Transitional Approvals Until In-Person Assessment Rolls-Out
- Hospices Trying to Change Image- Get Referrals Sooner
- Mass to Offer In-State Tuition to DACA Recipients
- DPH Strongly Encourages Health Institutions to Implement Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST)
- Weatherization Assistance (WAP) Faces Cuts
- Dog Protected by Restraining Order Under New Mass. Law
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- Health & Wellness
- Of Clinical Interest
October 2012
- Fuel Assistance and Winter Moratorium
- Emergency Assistance Further Updates
- Hope Lodge- New Form and Length of Stay Policy
- Travelers Aid LIFT Program Closes
- Social Security Benefits to Rise Slightly
- The RIDE In-Person Assessment - Still No Announced Start Date
- Program Highlights
- Boston Youth Sanctuary- Therapeutic After-School for Trauma Survivors
- Eastern MA Abortion Fund
- The Working Partners Program – Vocational Rehab and Job Placement for People with Physical or Mental Disabilities
- Policy & Social Issues
- Seniors May See Benefits Tied to Means Testing
- California Outlaws 'Treatment' of Homosexuality in Minors
- DACA Grantees Will Not Be Eligible for Subsidized Healthcare under ACA
- Opinion- Americans Do Die Because They are Uninsured
- Opinion- Raising the Medicare Eligibility Age Would Increase Total Health Care Costs
- IOM Report- Baby Boomers Likely to Face Inadequate Care for Mental Health, Substance Abuse
- Health & Wellness
- Of Clinical Interest
September 2012
- Emergency Assistance (Family Shelter) New Eligibility Categories
- The RIDE: Premium Fares Starting, But In-Person Assessment Delayed
- Absentee Ballots - Plan Ahead for Election
- Elder Utility Protection: National Grid Changing Procedures
- Immigration: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Clarification
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- Massachusetts Moves Ahead on Dual Eligibles Demonstration
- Health Care Providers to Launch Insurance Coop
- Little Mentioned in Campaign, Poverty Widening in US
- Leaving an Impoverished Area Increases Well-Being
- Opinion: The Medicare Killers
- Ban is Lifted on Free Meals for Massachusetts Doctors
- Opinion: Dramatic Rise in Drug Prices Greeted With Silence -- Why?
- Of Clinical Interest
August 2012
- Homelessness Prevention Program “RAFT” is Back
- EA Family Shelter Restrictions Update
- TAFDC Clothing Allowance and Temporary Income Limit Increase
- Immigration: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Applications Now Accepted
- CHINS Overhaul
- The RIDE- New Location for Adding Value to Accounts
- New Mass Law Allows Drug Coupons
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- Of Clinical Interest
July 2012
- Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter Restrictions
- Homelessness Prevention: RAFT Re-Funded and HomeBASE Rental Assistance Shorter Duration
- FY 13 State Budget - Including EBT Reform
- Mass Transgender Rights Law Goes into Effect
- Two Previously Announced Immigration Relief Programs Not Yet in Effect
- Goddard House JP SNF to Close; Brookline Assisted Living Unaffected
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- Health & Wellness
- Of Clinical Interest
June 2012
- The RIDE Updates
- New Compassionate Allowances Diagnoses
- Immunity Offered to Younger Illegal Immigrants
- CMS Pushes Nursing homes to Reduce Antipsychotic Use
- New State “VALOR Act” Increases Veteran’s Services
- Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act
- Unemployment Benefits Period Cut
- South Shore Hospital to Join Partners
- Program Highlights
- Massachusetts HomeCorps Halting Foreclosures
- MassHousing’s Tenancy Preservation Program
- Independent Transportation Network (iTN) Greater Boston
- The Hope Chest – Affordable Children’s Clothing and Employment for Homeless Mothers
- New Hostel Provides More Affordable Lodging in Hub
- Women’s Bar Foundation- Legal Services for Low-Income Women
- Guide “Transitioning Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders”
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- Of Clinical Interest
May 2012
- The RIDE In-Person Assessment Begins 7/1
- New Rules Define Unsafe Drivers
- New Broadband Internet Discounts for School Children
- New website- Alzheimers.gov
- Physician Assisted Suicide on November MA Ballot
- Secure Communities Federal Immigration Checks to Starting
- Six Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Nursing Home
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Health & Wellness
- Of Clinical Interest
- Experts Unconvinced by Changes to DSM
- Proposed Diagnosis for Bipolar Disorder Divides Psychiatrists
- Antidepressants Work- Severity Doesn’t Matter
- Speed Ecstasy Use in Teens Linked to Subsequent Depression
- Brief ED Intervention Cuts Alcohol Consumption in Risky Drinkers
- Emergency Therapy May Prevent PTSD in Trauma Victims
April 2012
- Commonwealth CARE- Reenrollment for LEGAL Immigrants; Members Must Enroll in a Plan
- Commonwealth CHOICE and Undocumented Immigrants
- MBTA board OKs Fare Hikes
- Open Enrollment for Acquired Brain Injury Waiver Program: Help to Move Out of Long-Term Care Facilities
- Report: Overuse of Antipsychotics in MA SNFs- New Database Available
- Temporary Protected (Immigration) Status For Syrian Nationals
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- Health & Wellness
- Of Clinical Interest
March 2012
- Free Tax Filing Assistance
- MBTA Revised Fare and Service Plan- Major Fare Increase for The RIDE
- Winter Moratorium - Voluntary Extension until April 15
- SSI Recipients Will Start Getting Two Checks
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- From the CRC
- Of Clinical Interest
February 2012
- The RIDE’s New Application Heralds Stricter Eligibility Enforcement
- Utilities- Winter Moratorium Ends March 15, May Be Extended
- MA SSI State Supplement to be Administered by MA
- New FPLs/FPGs for 2012
- Increase in SNAP Food Stamp Income Limits for Families
- Nursing Home Quality- Some Problems Slow to Mend
- Deal Reached on Treatment of State’s Mentally Ill Inmates
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- Opinion: The Media is an Accomplice in School Shootings
- Obama Administration Makes Greater Investment in Alzheimer’s
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders State Plan Recommendations
- Court Overturns Judge’s Demand for Abortion and Sterilization of Mentally-Ill Woman
- Patient Satisfaction - At What Cost?
- Health & Wellness
- Of Clinical Interest
- The Case for Retaining Bereavement Exclusion in DSM-5
- From the War Zone to the Home Front - Free Online Professional Education Series
- Obesity and Mental Illness Dangerously Linked
- PCE in Drinking Water Linked to Mental Illness
- Physical Punishment Harms Children’s Long-Term Development
- Strong Support May Protect Gay Youth From Suicide
- CBT for Hot Flushes in Breast Cancer
- CBT Aids Long-Term Pain Management
January 2012
- Fuel Assistance Funding Increased But Still Less than Last Year
- MBTA Proposes Fare Increases (Including for The RIDE) and Service Cuts
- 2012 MassHealth Community Spouse Allowances
- HomeBASE Household Assistance- When One Might Not Want to Apply
- Foreclosure-Prevention Plans Extended
- Immigration- Major Improvements to Family Unity Waivers
- TPS for Salvadorans Extended
- Nicotine Patches Free to Boston Residents and Workers
- State to Close Taunton Facility for Mentally Ill
- Program Highlights
- Health Care Coverage
- Policy & Social Issues
- Of Clinical Interest
- “Culture-Bound Syndromes” and the DSM Revision
- Intimate Partner Violence Common in the US
- Mindfulness Training Reduces Stress of Rheumatic Disease
- Randomized Trial of Yoga in Metastatic Breast Cancer
- The Impact of Culture and Religion on Truth Telling at the End of Life
- Recent Findings in the Treatment of Prolonged Grief