State House Day

RECENT EVENTS
9th Annual Community Health Center Day at the State House
The Great Hall, Massachusetts State House, Boston
April 28, 2004

Health centers seen as a solution for expanding access to health care,
containing costs in the system

Representatives from the state’s 50 community health centers gathered at the State House on Wednesday April 28, 2004 to highlight their crucial role in ensuring health access to the state’s low-income patients, many of whom cannot afford the high cost of health insurance premiums and deductibles.

A record number of legislators joined the League to show their support of local community health centers.

As the state’s economy shows little sign of recovery and health care costs skyrocket, Massachusetts community health centers are under severe financial pressure. Reductions in coverage for patients enrolled in the MassHealth program and the payment cap imposed on health center uncompensated care pool services, means that health centers face increasing difficulty in sustaining their services at a time when growing numbers of uninsured people are in need of care.

At the same time, state policymakers are looking for ways to both increase health access and lower the costs of providing care. Community health centers are poised to help. By leveraging their capacity, as well as their high-quality, cost-effective approach to providing care, health centers can help ensure access for vulnerable residents and generate savings across the state’s health system.

The event attracted a large number of state representatives, senators and administrators all of whom spoke about the importance of bolstering support to health centers as they struggle to meet the health needs of increasing numbers of uninsured individuals and families across the Commonwealth.

State officials who took turns addressing the health center crowd, included:

Speaker Finneran addresses health centers at the state house.

Chair of the Joint Committee of Health Care, Representative Peter Koutoujian

For other Recent Events, click here.

For details on 2005's State House Day, click here.
For details on 2003's State House Day, click here.
For details on 2002's State House Day, click here.
For details on 2000's State House Day, click here.
For details on 1999's State House Day, click here.