Marlborough Hospital Gets $352K from the State

The Patrick Administration today announced $23 million in funding to 61 hospitals and community health centers across the state to help them establish integrated delivery systems that provide more effective and cost-efficient care to patients in need, including more than $352,000 that was awarded to Marlborough Hospital.  

“Massachusetts is home to some of the world's most highly engaged and innovative health care providers,” said Gov. Deval Patrick. “Investments like this will help our hospitals and health centers provide cost-effective, patient-centered care to communities across the Commonwealth.” 

The Infrastructure and Capacity Building grants are designed to enhance the ability of hospitals and community health centers to more efficiently and effectively provide health care services to the MassHealth members they serve. Grant funding supports the development and implementation of best practices, cost-containment and quality improvement initiatives. This year’s participants were also required to submit a plan to connect and use the Mass HIWay, Massachusetts’ electronic health record secure delivery service. 

“This year’s new technology requirements will help place Massachusetts at the forefront of health care IT while driving down inefficiencies in care,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services John Polanowicz. “This grant will help establish links between diverse health care providers and enable hospitals and community health centers across the Commonwealth to quickly access accurate health information,reducing costs, improving patient care and saving lives.” 

This funding represents a 63 percent increase over last year, and allows MassHealth to provide more resources to hospitals and community health centers across the state. Funding was included in the FY14 state budget and the awards are supported by federal matching funds.

The funding is designed to support one of five priority areas at hospitals and community health centers that further health care quality and cost-containment goals. Projects included developing fully integrated delivery systems of health care; implementing alternatives to fee-for-service payments that promote system sustainability through value based purchasing, enhanced data analytics and quality performance measurement capabilities; improving health outcomes and quality for patients with high-risk conditions; enhancing outreach and enrollment for subsidized and non-subsidized health insurance programs; and building strategic business and operations capacity.

“MassHealth is committed to providing the Commonwealth's most vulnerable populations with critical health care services in the communities where they live,” said MassHealth Director Kristin Thorn. “With this grant funding, hospitals and health centers that serve MassHealth members will be able to enhance the quality of their services and help keep communities healthy.”

The hospital will use the money to Develop integrated acute and post-acute networks; Develop capacities to accept global or alternative payments; Enhance data analytics and quality performance measurement capabilities; and Enhance Business Strategy and Operations Capacity. 

Submitted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Health and Human Services.