JudyAnn Bigby, MD, Massachusetts Health and Human Services secretary, kicked off the conference  with persuasive evidence that Massachusetts has achieved a great deal in expanding access. But she also pointed out the persistent disparities in health care access for minorities. She touched broadly costs and quality, offering that payment reform, expanded health IT and transparent health care information are needed to address those issues.

She also raised questions about the mismatch between the large numbers of licensed physicians in Massachusetts and the persistent shortages cited in MMS physician workforce studies. “Why the paradox?” she asked. “It’s not simply a numbers game.”

• Listen to Bigby’s presentation. (Length 35:26) (This will open your computer's default media player in a new window)
• Download from iTunes
• View Bigby’s slides.

Filed under: State of the State of Health Care Conference: 2008