State House News Service

Patrick eyes major changes in health care payment system

Gov. Deval Patrick is considering fundamental changes to the health care system in Massachusetts, eyeing adjustments to the current fee-for-service payment system and planning cost reduction legislation by summer.

Health and Human Services Secretary JudyAnn Bigby said the administration is considering a system in which providers would receive payments related to outcomes rather than amount of care.

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Chairman breaks with DiMasi as Speaker’s vote nears

A veteran House member who earned a committee chairmanship under Speaker Salvatore DiMasi plans to vote against the House chieftain’s bid for a third full term as speaker, and Monday became the first member of the chamber to discuss his decision publicly.

Rep. David Torrisi, House chair of the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, told the News Service he would defect from DiMasi when the Democratic caucus votes next week on its leadership, citing the allegations of ethical wrongdoing that are dogging the speaker.

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Richie to head governor’s political team

Dorchester’s Charlotte Golar Richie, a top government relations adviser to Gov. Deval Patrick, is leaving the administration to helm Patrick’s political operation, according to sources familiar with the change. A former lawmaker and housing chief in Boston, Richie joined Patrick

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Boston win for McCain? Not likely

John McCain, regardless of his performance nationally, is going to lose Dorchester, Boston, and Massachusetts. That makes him no different than Republican presidents back to Ronald Reagan – who, at least in part due to a near-mythic swing into the

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Backers say Ross has votes for council presidency

City Councillor Michael Ross will succeed Dorchester’s Maureen Feeney as the president of the Boston City Council next year through a unique agreement that will make his chief opponent for the job, Councillor Steve Murphy, the body’s vice-president. The arrangement

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Avian flu concerns put health officials on alert

The global spread of concern over a deadly strain of influenza has local public health experts questioning how the area would respond if an outbreak happened here. Avian influenza, a virus that experts worry could mutate into a form transmittable

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Appeals court upholds Calf Pasture decision

A Boston Water and Sewer Commission lawsuit looking to recoup money lost in a legislative move to block the sale of a Columbia Point property was dismissed by the state Appeals Court last week. The decision effectively upholds efforts by

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Relations continue unraveling over Ashmont projects

MBTA General Manager Daniel Grabauskas on Monday criticized the Trinity Financial development company and ripped community perception that the transit agency has fumbled its commitments around the renovation of Ashmont Station and adjacent work. Grabauskas, less than five months into

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Incumbents fare well, but newcomers lurk in at-large race

Boston voters whittled the field for the City Council’s four at-large seats to eight candidates Tuesday, selecting council President Michael Flaherty as the top finisher, followed by Councillor Felix Arroyo, in a low-turnout preliminary election preceding the November 8 final.

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