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Boston Globe
21 hours ago
- Health
- Boston Globe
Massachusetts, others sue Trump over Medicaid cuts to Planned Parenthood
Plaintiff states -- which also include California, New York, and Rhode Island, among others -- claim that the provision defunding Planned Parenthood's Medicaid is unconstitutional and violates Planned Parenthood clinics' freedoms of speech and association. Advertisement The states asked the court to block enforcement of the Medicaid provision. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said states should not be forced to fund organizations that prioritize political advocacy. 'It is a shame that these Democrat attorneys general seek to undermine state flexibility and disregard longstanding concerns about accountability,' the spokesperson said in a statement. On Monday, a federal judge in Boston Advertisement In that case, Judge Indira Talwani found that the law likely violated the Constitution by targeting Planned Parenthood as punishment and likely violating the right of clinics that don't provide abortions to associate with the national Planned Parenthood organization. 'We're encouraged by [Monday's] ruling, which protects access to care for Medicaid patients in Massachusetts while this case moves forward,' said Dominique Lee, chief executive of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. 'At a time when reproductive health care access is under constant attack, this decision is a powerful reminder that patients, not politics, should guide health care.' The weeks since the law went into effect on July 4 have been filled with confusion and uncertainty for Massachusetts Medicaid patients. Front desk staff, health care providers and even clinic escorts have been inundated with questions about whether Planned Parenthood's four Massachusetts clinics can accept their insurance, known here as MassHealth. Originally, Talwani issued a preliminary injunction that applied only to Planned Parenthood clinics that don't provide abortions or receive less than $800,000 from the government insurance program. That ruling left out the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, which billed Medicaid for $14 million, or roughly half of the health care provider's operating budget, last year. Planned Parenthood clinics in Massachusetts continued to provide care to patients free of charge while they were prohibited from accepting Medicaid funds. About 40 percent of those clinics' patients are insured by Medicaid. Most patients who go to Massachusetts Planned Parenthoods aren't going for abortions but are instead seeking primary care services like checkups, birth control and testing for sexually transmitted diseases. MassHealth patients who are seeking abortion care have not been affected by the rollercoaster of changes to federal law. States are already prohibited from billing Medicaid for abortions. Massachusetts uses its own money to cover abortions for those insured by MassHealth. Advertisement Marin Wolf can be reached at
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Health
- Boston Globe
Planned Parenthood is still seeing MassHealth patients. Confusion is keeping them away
Advertisement 'I've been here for almost 10 years now,' said Anne McGovern, chief operating officer of the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, 'and this is easily the hardest thing we've had to deal with.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The situation has only become more confusing. A federal judge in Boston ruled early Monday that the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts can continue to accept Medicaid payments as they challenge the cuts in court, a shift from an earlier decision. Last week, the same federal judge, Indira Talwani, Advertisement That ruling left out Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts, which last year billed Medicaid for $14 million, or roughly half of the health care provider's operating budget. About 40 percent of the patients at Massachusetts clinics are insured by Medicaid, according to Planned Parenthood. 'We're encouraged by [Monday's] ruling, which protects access to care for Medicaid patients in Massachusetts while this case moves forward,' said Dominique Lee, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. 'At a time when reproductive health care access is under constant attack, this decision is a powerful reminder that patients, not politics, should guide health care.' A sign for more information about Medicaid was displayed in the patient waiting area at the Greater Boston Health Center location of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff For the week it was banned from accepting MassHealth, the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts continued to see patients for free, although it was unclear how long the organization would have been able to cover that care. 'This is the first time that something is really shaking our foundation,' said Dr. Luu Ireland, chief medical officer of the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. Most patients at Massachusetts' Planned Parenthood locations — in Boston, Worcester, Marlborough, and Springfield — are not seeking abortions, but rather primary care such as annual check-ups and testing for sexually transmitted diseases. Recently, Ireland said, a teenager came in with her mother to get birth control for the first time. Birth control, Ireland noted, 'is trial and error,' and patients might need to try several brands of the medication before finding the right prescription. Because the teen is insured by the state's Medicaid program, called MassHealth, Ireland couldn't promise her that she would be able to come back to Planned Parenthood for follow-up visits. Another MassHealth patient who has come to Planned Parenthood for years for STD testing was 'at a loss' when Ireland told him about changing policies. Advertisement 'Where am I going to go to get tested?' Ireland recalled him asking. 'What if I need treatment? How much will that cost?' The Massachusetts Planned Parenthood offices are typically able to get patients into the office within seven days, which is much faster than other gynecology and primary care providers in the region. Research by ECG Management Consultants in 2024 found that, on average, new patients in the Boston metro area had to wait 85 days for an obstetrics and gynecology appointment. Many of the patients who go to Planned Parenthood for routine care have seen the same providers for years. Shaking up that care can be jarring, said Irem Girmen, who leads the team that answers patient questions at the Boston clinic. 'They like coming here. They prefer to come here,' said Girmen. 'Gynecological exams are vulnerable, and they trust us.' Dr. Luu Ireland is the chief medical officer at the Boston Health Center location of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff MassHealth patients seeking abortion care are not affected by the changes in federal law. States have long been prohibited from using federal Medicaid money to cover abortions, but Massachusetts uses its own funds to cover abortion care for patients insured by MassHealth.
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Health
- Boston Globe
Planned Parenthood, cut off from Medicaid payments, is seeing patients for free, but some are still missing care
Advertisement 'I've been here for almost 10 years now,' said Anne McGovern, chief operating officer of the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, 'and this is easily the hardest thing we've had to deal with.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up For the time being, Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts is offering free care to Medicaid patients as legal challenges to the funding cuts move through the courts. Last week, a federal judge in Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration from withholding Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood clinics that don't provide abortions or receive less than $800,000 from the government insurance program. The ruling, however, doesn't help Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts, which last year billed Medicaid for $14 million, or roughly half of the health care provider's operating budget. About 40 percent of the patients at Massachusetts clinics are insured by Medicaid, according to Planned Parenthood. Advertisement A sign for more information about Medicaid was displayed in the patient waiting area at the Greater Boston Health Center location of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff The state earmarked $2 million for the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts in the fiscal 2026 budget, but that is still only a fraction of the cuts. It's unclear how long the organization can provide free care to patients covered by Medicaid. 'This is the first time that something is really shaking our foundation,' said Dr. Luu Ireland, chief medical officer of the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. Most patients at Massachusetts' Planned Parenthood locations — in Boston, Worcester, Marlborough, and Springfield — are not seeking abortions, but rather primary care such as annual check-ups and testing for sexually transmitted diseases. Recently, Ireland said a teenager came in with her mother to get birth control for the first time. Birth control, Ireland noted, 'is trial and error,' and patients might need to try several brands of the medication before finding the right prescription. Because the teen is insured by the state's Medicaid program, called MassHealth, Ireland couldn't promise her that she would be able to come back to Planned Parenthood for follow-up visits. Another MassHealth patient who has come to Planned Parenthood for years for STD testing was 'at a loss' when Ireland told him about changing policies. 'Where am I going to go to get tested?' Ireland recalled him asking. 'What if I need treatment? How much will that cost?' The Massachusetts Planned Parenthood offices are typically able to get patients into the office within seven days, which is much faster than other gynecology and primary care providers in the region. Advertisement Many of the patients who go to Planned Parenthood for routine care have seen the same providers for years. Shaking up that care can be jarring, said Irem Girmen, who leads the team that answers patient questions at the Boston clinic. 'They like coming here. They prefer to come here,' said Girmen. 'Gynecological exams are vulnerable, and they trust us.' Dr. Luu Ireland is the chief medical officer at the Boston Health Center location of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff MassHealth patients seeking abortion care are not affected by the changes in federal law. States have long been prohibited from using federal Medicaid money to cover abortions, but Massachusetts uses its own funds to cover abortion care for patients insured by MassHealth. While the organization is seeking alternative funding options, Ireland said, Planned Parenthood's top priority remains getting patients in the door so medical care goes uninterrupted. 'We are providing care and we are absorbing the cost of that health care,' Ireland said. 'That is our temporary plan for now to ensure that our patients suffer as little as possible during this transition.' Marin Wolf can be reached at
Boston Globe
18-07-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
Mass. to require info on fire and emergency protocols from hundreds of assisted living homes in the wake of fatal Fall River fire
'What happened in Fall River is a horrible tragedy,' Healey said. 'This is a moment to make sure that every assisted living residence is prepared to respond to emergencies and to protect the safety of their residents.' The homes must also send letters to residents and their families within the next five days that explain fire safety protocols, evacuation procedures and key points of contact for questions or concerns and post evacuation information in all units and common areas. The fire at the Fall River home, Gabriel House, is still under investigation. About 70 people lived in the home, which served a lower income population. More than 75 percent of the residents there were enrolled in MassHealth. Families of residents described the home as poorly maintained and unclean. Workers said the home didn't conduct fire drills or evacuation training. Advertisement More than 17,000 people in Massachusetts live in assisted living facilities, which provide some personal care support but not the complex medical care available at nursing homes. They are prized for the freedom and choice they offer, but increasingly care for people with significant mobility or cognitive limitations. They are far less regulated by the state than nursing facilities. AGE, which oversees these residences, re-certifies assisted living homes every two years. The Department of Public Health, by contrast, inspects nursing homes every nine to 15 months. Advocates for seniors and some politicians have demanded more robust state oversight over assisted living homes since the fire. 'I think we need to be far more stringent with regulations in this industry, and I thought that long before this fire,' said state Senator Mark Montigny, a New Bedford Democrat, during a meeting Tuesday of a state commission tasked with rethinking state oversight of the industry. 'I only hope that this fire will serve to do what we should have done ten years ago.' Jason Laughlin can be reached at
Boston Globe
17-07-2025
- Boston Globe
After deadly Fall River fire, grief gives way to frustration and solidarity
The devastating fire Sunday night that also left 30 people hospitalized and dozens of others displaced has stirred feelings of disbelief and even anger in Fall River, a tightly-knit community on Massachusetts' South Coast. Some have resolved to help the victims and survivors however they can. Many are questioning whether the fire was preventable. Nina Amaral of New Bedford sorted through donations inside the chapel at Catholic Charities in Fall River on July 16. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff Advertisement 'It's like, how does that happen,' said Rosa Vieira, a bartender at the nearby Clipper restaurant, which serves traditional Portuguese sirloin and seafood dishes . 'How do nine people die? It doesn't make sense.' At the restaurant, just a few blocks north of Gabriel House, the sense of frustration was palpable, with patrons exchanging pointed words over television news broadcasts about the fire . Sweating over a Portuguese lager Tuesday afternoon, owner Clement Raposo excoriated the facility, as well as city officials, for what he characterized as their derelict approach to safety. The building, he claimed, was known around town as being unsafe and 'filthy' inside. Raposo said a patron of the bar had lived, until Sunday, at Gabriel House, and thankfully had survived the fire. He said the patron told him Advertisement 'Now they're doing a big investigation,' Raposo said. 'What good is that? People already died.' Fall River is home to about 95,000 residents and includes a large immigrant community that has traditionally been Portuguese but in more recent years has included more It is also one of Massachusetts' poorest cities, where over 20 percent of the population falls below the poverty line. At Gabriel House, more than 75 percent of residents were on MassHealth, the state's Medicaid plan. Many in the community have expressed concern that the living home's elderly residents Members of the State Police were on the scene of the Gabriel House fire in Fall River on July 16. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff Raposo said he'd heard that the fire department was understaffed — a claim made by the firefighters union, and 'I don't know if it would have saved lives,' said fire chief Jeffrey Bacon said Tuesday. 'That's speculation.' Raposo said it would be devastating if those claims were found to be true: 'you gotta pay them,' he said. Related : Chelsea Cote, 33, works down the street from Gabriel House as a cashier at a hot dog restaurant, greeting customers by name as they walk in the door and order onion rings or 'a dog with the works.' She also has a second job caring for senior citizens. Advertisement 'A lot of people around here need help,' she said. 'There are lots of people who are struggling, who don't have families or support or people to care for them.' This part of town, she said, is not exactly idyllic. Kennedy Park, a historic area near Gabriel House designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in the 1860s, is encircled by idling cars and open air drug use. 'There are always going to be drugs,' Cote said. 'But I don't get in trouble anymore... I was able to dig my way out.' Bryan Boyle, a longtime resident of Fall River, said the city has seen better days. 'Fall River is ugly,' he said. 'I don't mean it in a pejorative sense. I mean that it's an old, old city. There's a lot of opioid problems here. There's crime.' Boyle, a staff member at St. Anne's Catholic Shrine, said he stills finds moments of inspiration in his hometown. The day of the fire, as the Gabriel House smoldered just a few blocks away, the church's massive towers were lit up, as they are every night, shining over the neighborhood. 'We don't expect to lose nine souls, nine citizens, regardless of the reason,' said Boyle, 68. 'It's not anything to be happy about... But in the middle of that, there's hope.' The imposing Romanesque church has been mostly vacant for years, but still draws hundreds for its periodic masses and feasts, including several Gabriel House residents, Boyle said. All the worshippers at St. Anne's are believed to have survived, he added. Advertisement Boyle was born at St. Anne's Hospital, just down the road from the living home, and stayed in the building when it was a still a motel in the 1970s. He also carries the memories of another blaze in 1982 that 'I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often,' Boyle said. 'We've had so many mill fires here, so many horrendous fires ... The fact is that the old buildings here are very fragile. The owners really have to protect them.' Related : At the city's Catholic diocese Wednesday, residents in cars and pickup trucks Gino Raposa, of Fall River (center) carried in donations to the chapel at Catholic Charities in Fall River on July 16. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff 'We have relatives handicapped at home right now being taken care by family,' said Linda Furtado, 47, of Acushnet. 'But if we didn't have family members who could take care of them, they could have very well been in a home like that.' Related : Dube, at the memorial, said that while some people hear about Fall River and think of violence, the community runs deeper. 'It's brought a lot of us together,' she said. 'I know that for a fact.' Krista Cormier, who has lived in Fall River for seven years, also stopped by Gabriel House Wednesday to honor the dead, putting a bouquet of purple and blue flowers outside. She said she heard purple was a 'healing color.' Advertisement 'It's been heavy on my heart all week,' she said. 'I came out to pay respects for the ones who have passed on, but especially family, friends, loved ones too.' Cormier, 46, said she's 'proud' of her community. 'How quickly people came together, not only just spiritually, but I've heard thousands of dollars have already been raised in no time for these folks… even just the outpouring of love and support and whatnot.' 'Fall River is an awesome community,' she added. For now, Boyle said, all the city can do is pray for the victims and help their families. Fall River is resilient, he said, noting that the city has reinvented itself 'so many times.' 'The town will do what it does,' he said. 'It'll recover. It'll be better. People will do what they need to do in order to make it better. Certainly, you mourn the loss. But you don't wear the black armband forever.' Camilo Fonseca can be reached at
