1. State budget for FY 2013. A conference committee is now considering differences between the House & Senate budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. A detailed summary of the health care provisions in the two bills from MMPI, Mass Budget & MLRI is available here: https://bluecrossmafoundation.org/publication/fiscal-year-2013-house-and-senate-budget-comparison-brief
We expect Senate budget debate to begin tomorrow (Wednesday 5/23).
PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATOR TODAY AND ASK HIM/HER TO SUPPORT:
Amendment #605 MassHealth Adult Dental (Sen. Chandler)
Increases the MassHealth budget and includes language to for the partial restoration of some dental procedures, including most fillings.
Amendment #615 MassHealth Outreach Grants (Sen. DiDomenico)
Funds the MassHealth Outreach Grants at $2.5 million.
Updated report on outcome of MassHealth and Health Reform budgets following House Floor Action
http://www.massbudget.org/report_pdf.php?pdf=FY2013House_BudgetBrief_v5.pdf
Earlier in the day we sent out MLRI's summary of the HWM budget. Amendments are due tomorrow. While health programs fared far better than services for homeless families or cash assistance recipients, the budget did not address ongoing problems with restricted dental benefits, unreasonable delays at MassHealth offices, or support for outreach and enrollment grants.
Please call your representatives to co-sponsor the following health amendments which are priorities of the Affordable Care Today Coalition.
RALLY TO RESTORE MASSHEALTH ADULT DENTAL
Join co-chairs of the Legislative Oral Health Caucus Representative John Scibak and Senator Harriette Chandler
and the Oral Health Advocacy Taskforce on Wednesday, April 4th.
WEAR RED in support of Restoring Essential Dental. Let your legislators know why restoration of MassHealth adult dental benefits is important to YOU!
Don't miss the last of MLRI's 2011-2012 Basic Benefit Training series on HEALTH CARE ACCESS on April 4, 2012 in Boston.
In addition to a full day of info-packed presentations from our experienced panel of trainers, attendees will get hot off the presses the 2012 edition of MLRI's MassHealth Advocacy Guide --all for only $25 (for legal services & employees of nonprofits).
See MCLE website for more information..
Registration is on-line through Mass. Continuing Legal Education - at
There are 3 programs left in MLRI's annual Basic Benefits Training series. All trainings are in Boston. Registration for each is $25 for legal services advocates and other nonprofits. Registration is on-line through Mass. Continuing Legal Education by following the links below.
1. Immigrants & Public Benefits on March 8, 2012
https://www.mcle.org/product/catalog/code/2120257P01
2. Basics of the new CORI law on March 20, 2012
