Dear Colleagues:

BWH is supporting an important initiative launched by Partners HealthCare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) to bring about comprehensive health care reform to expand coverage for the uninsured, manage costs and provide fair reimbursement for caring for Medicaid and uninsured patients.

Last month, communication to Partners staff, including physicians, encouraged all to support the cause. I applaud those of you who have been involved on your efforts to bring about important change.

Despite the Commonwealth's leading role in driving innovations and jobs in health care, Massachusetts is among those states whose residents continue to lose insurance at a growing rate. In addition, Massachusetts hospitals are reimbursed 80 cents for every dollar of care provided, while average Medicaid reimbursement for hospitals nationwide is 98 cents. To combat these unfortunate, negative trends, Partners has initiated in-house programs and legislative action that seek to manage costs and provide fair reimbursement. I encourage continued discussions on these issues in your respective areas and welcome your feedback.

I also encourage all of us to continue to work with Partners and BCBSMA to help bring about solutions that will benefit patients and the health care system alike.

Sincerely,

Andy Whittemore, MD
Chief Medical Officer