BHS, CHP, and Fallon Health Announce Renewed Partnership

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WORCESTER, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS), Community Health Programs (CHP), and other members of the Health Collaborative of the Berkshires PHO (PHO) announced a renewed partnership with Fallon Health to provide quality, lower-cost health care to members and communities under the state's Medicaid program, which is called MassHealth.
 
"The Berkshire Fallon Health Collaborative has been essential in ensuring that MassHealth members across the Berkshires have access to primary care providers and services," said Darlene Rodowicz, President and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems. "Our continued partnership with Fallon Health and CHP is an integral part of our mission to serve the Berkshire community with the highest standard of care."
 
The PHO and Fallon MassHealth Accountable Care Organization (ACO) offering, known as the Berkshire Fallon Health Collaborative (BFHC), will be available to eligible Medicaid members in the Berkshires. The partnership supports the state's continuation of the Medicaid ACO program.
 
Effective April 1, 2023, MassHealth members identified by the Executive Office of Health & Human Services (EOHHS) as having a Berkshire Health Systems, Community Health Programs, or other PHO Primary Care Provider (PCP) will be enrolled in BFHC. MassHealth is a state-administered Medicaid program—funded by the state and federal governments—that provides health care coverage to eligible individuals.
 
"Our participation in the MassHealth ACO program aligns with Fallon Health's mission and continues a 45-year commitment to caring for those who need us most, predominantly through government-sponsored health insurance programs," said Richard Burke, President and CEO of Fallon Health, noting that Fallon Health was the first health plan in the state to receive a contract to cover Medicaid recipients—and the first health plan in the country to offer a Medicare Advantage plan. 
 
Today, nearly 9 out of every 10 of its members are enrolled in a public health plan.
 
"We are thrilled to collaborate with the outstanding providers at BHS and CHP in our shared efforts to find new, innovative ways to advance primary care that puts patients first and that promotes behavioral health and health equity," added Burke.
 
"We look forward to building on our partnerships with Berkshire Health Systems and Fallon Health to deliver health care and other services to CHP's patients throughout the Berkshires," said Richard H. Gregg, Interim CEO of Community Health Programs.
 
To enroll in BFHC, individuals must live in the service area, which includes all of Berkshire County.

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Pittsfield School Committee OKs $82M Budget, $1.5M Cuts

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The school budget is less grim than the original proposal but still requires more than $1.5 million in cuts.

On Thursday, the School Committee approved an $82.8 million spending plan for fiscal year 2025, including a city appropriation of $80.4 million and $2.4 million in Chapter 70 funds.

The cuts made to balance the budget include about 50 staff reductions — some due to the sunsetting of federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds.

"The final version does not answer all needs. It will be unacceptable to some or to many but I must say that tonight's final proposal is very different than where we started when we believed we would have a $3,600,000 reduction. I want to assure everyone that every effort has been made to minimize the impact on both students, families, and staff members while also ensuring that our district has the necessary resources to progress forward," Superintendent Joseph Curtis said.

"Nevertheless, there are incredibly passionate, dedicated staff members who will not be with us next year. This pains me as I've been a part of this organization for now 30 years so I want to assure everyone that our team, this has weighed very heavily in our hearts, this entire process. This is not a group of people that is looking at a spreadsheet saying ‘Well that can go and this can go’ and take that lightly."

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Kristen Behnke and other officials worked with the state Department of Secondary and Elementary Education to rectify an error in the Chapter 70 funding formula, recognized 11 more low-income students in the district, and added an additional $2.4 million to the FY25 budget.

Curtis commented that when he first saw the governor’s FY25 budget, he was "rather stunned."

"The extraordinary circumstances we face this budget season by the conclusion of the substantial ESSER federal grant and a significant reduction in Chapter 70 allotment caused challenges for this team and our school principals and our educators and our staff that have been nothing short of all-consuming," he said.

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