Mass League Celebrates House Passage of Primary Care Bill

“The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers applauds the House for taking a significant step towards strengthening primary care and supporting the long-term sustainability of community health centers across the Commonwealth.   

The Mass League is grateful to both chambers for the inclusion of a commercial rate floor that will ensure commercial insurers pay their fair share and reimburse community health centers at least the same rate as MassHealth. Commercial insurers often reimburse community health centers less than MassHealth, and this longstanding payment disparity has undermined community health centers’ ability to recruit and retain providers and meet the needs of the state’s most vulnerable patients. Establishing a rate floor is a critical step toward addressing these challenges and supporting the financial and operational sustainability of community health centers.  

The Mass League is also grateful to the legislature for making critical investments to expand the primary care workforce. Staff attrition is felt acutely in community health centers, but these investments will help community-based providers strengthen their talent pipelines and retain providers, expanding access to care and improving health outcomes in the process.  

As we prepare to navigate the impacts of federal Medicaid cuts, and access to care is threatened, we are proud to see Massachusetts is leading the way to strengthen our community health centers and other critical health safety net providers. We look forward to working with House and Senate conferees to get this bill across the finish line.” 

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