MetroWest Health Foundation

08/14/2026

Thanks for joining us this week as we recapped recent policy developments ( )

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08/13/2026

For the merged market, 2027 health insurance premium rate increases are over 10%, placing pressure on small businesses and hundreds of thousands of enrollees across the state

⬆️The rates: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/2027-health-insurance-rates -merged-market-rates-effective-for-2027

➡️Efforts by the state Department of Insurance: https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-insurance-commissioners-actions-save-72-million-for-massachusetts-residents-businesses

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Follow along this week as we recap health policy developments affecting the region and state from our .

The MetroWest Health Foundation is one of the largest independent health care philanthropies in the state. We provide more than $5 million in grants a…

08/12/2026

The Health Policy Commission shared earlier this year that psychiatric and psychotropic prescriptions have increased among commercially-insured MA residents, especially for females aged 18-49. And, "while prescription drugs are often a cost driver for the Massachusetts commercial population, primarily due to branded and specialty drugs, 97 percent of the behavioral health drugs prescribed in 2024 were generic."

View the DataPoint (Issue 34) to learn more: https://masshpc.gov/publications/datapoints-series/issue-34-meeting-need-filling-script-increasing-behavioral-health
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As summer winds down, we're revisiting the policy issues that have shaped recent editions of our monthly . Check back each day this week for a recap.

This issue explores Massachusetts’ trends in psychotropic medication prescriptions, including medications for substance use disorder (SUD), among commercially-insured Massachusetts residents between the ages of 5 and 64 with full-year pharmacy coverage in the Massachusetts All-Payer Claims Databas...

08/11/2026

Before the busy fall season begins, we're taking a look back at the policy topics covered in recent editions of our monthly . Follow along each day this week for a quick recap.
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Promising news was released in June: The total number of deaths in 2025 linked to opioid use across the state reached a ten-year low

📉About the trend: https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-opioid-related-overdose-deaths-fall-under-1000-for-the-first-time-in-over-a-decade

📋Community-level data: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/bureau-of-substance-addiction-services-bsas-dashboard

📑 In-depth analysis on the state of the crisis, published March 2026: https://www.mass.gov/doc/massachusetts-2024-opioid-involved-overdose-report-0/download

Preliminary 2025 data project that the state’s opioid-related overdose deaths declined by more than half since fatal overdoses hit a record high in 2022

08/10/2026

It's not quite time to head back to school—but it's always a good time to catch up on recent policy developments. This week, we'll revisit the topics featured in recent editions of our monthly .
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Day 1:
In May, the state took action to preserve access to coverage for preventive care

🗒️Background on the issue:https://www.mahealthconnector.org/wp-content/uploads/board_meetings/2026/05-14-26/Board-Memo-Proposed-MCC-Regulations-Amendments-Recommended-Adoption-050826.pdf

🖥️ Slides from the May 2026 Health Connector Board Meeting:https://www.mahealthconnector.org/wp-content/uploads/board_meetings/2026/05-14-26/Health-Connector-May-2026-Board-Presentation-051426.pdf

📉 Related: Health Connector enrollment data: https://www.mahealthconnector.org/about/data-and-reporting/health-connector-monthly-enrollment-dashboard

08/05/2026

Following recommendations from the foundation's Grant Panels and Distribution Committee, the foundation Board of Trustees recently approved grants to 24 local organizations. Over $1.3 million was invested in projects to improve access to health services and promote food security and housing stability. For a list of organizations funded in the 2026 Spring Grant cycle, visit our website.

The MetroWest Health Foundation is one of the largest independent health care philanthropies in the state. We provide more than $5 million in grants a…

07/27/2026

Thank you! Your work to promote the Community Health Assessment community survey helps ensure that the CHA reflects the current experiences and needs of MetroWest residents. Your partnership is invaluable!

The survey has now concluded, and we are beginning the next phase of the Community Health Assessment. We appreciate your continued partnership and look forward to sharing what we learn.

07/24/2026

🎉🥳 Please join us in congratulating the twentieth cohort of the MetroWest Health Leadership Program!

For six months, the group learned from experts in change management, strategic thinking, negotiation, and effective communication. They worked collaboratively and individually to enhance their leadership skills.

The Health Leadership Program culminates in a group project: a written policy brief and oral presentation. The Class of 2026 focused on the issues of safe and affordable housing and social isolation. Their projects can be found on the foundation's website: www.mwhealth.org/strategic-investments/leadership-development

Congratulations again to the Class of 2026!

Lynn Borges, PharmD, Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center
Ashley Bosworth, Community Care Cooperative
Carla Cataldo, MPP, MAB Community Services
Jillian Erlich, MSW, SMOC Behavioral Health
Laruen Hanley, M.S., MetroWest YMCA
Nicholas Jennings, MPH, M.S., SMOC
Bianca Ruiz, Reach Beyond Domestic Violence
Emily Tylek, MPH, Town of Northborough
Noelia Valdez, Callahan Center
Bethany Yates, Framingham Health Department

07/06/2026

*📆Deadline extended to July 10 - https://bit.ly/2026MWsurvey*

Thanks to your partnership, the the MetroWest Community Health Assessment (CHA) community survey (https://bit.ly/2026MWsurvey) has had a strong response! The deadline has been extended to give MORE residents the opportunity to directly inform planning, funding, and health services in the region.

Please continue sharing the survey with clients and community members during appointments, programs, classes, and events. Cities and towns with sufficient response rates can request anonymized data back to glean additional insights from residents. 👀👌

By doing so, you're helping ensure that future programs, services, and funding decisions are informed by the people they're intended to serve.

➡️ Share the survey today! https://bit.ly/2026MWsurvey

06/11/2026

Help shape community programs!

Take the Community survey to share your experiences accessing health care and services in the region. ➡️ https://bit.ly/2026MWsurvey 📲🖥️ It takes less than ten minutes, and it helps local organizations to plan programs, access funding, and talk about the needs of our community.

Already taken it? Take a few minutes to send an email, add the link to your newsletter, or message a group in WhatsApp.