Health Care

The Attorney General’s Office protects the consumers of the Commonwealth with regard to health care and the implementation of the new health care mandate law in Massachusetts. 

The Attorney General's Office:

• Receives and reviews complaints from the public relating to health insurance and health care and, as necessary and appropriate, investigates and litigates consumer protection cases involving health insurers, health providers, and pharmaceutical companies;
• Assists in health reform efforts by working with the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector and the Health Care Quality and Cost Council ;
• Investigation in support of the Cost Containment Law ( Investigation of Health Care Cost Trends and Cost Drivers Pursuant to G.L. c. 118G, § 6½(b)  )
• Uses the Attorney General's regulatory authority to oversee nonprofit health care institutions and health insurers, and revitalizes the Attorney General’s Community Benefits Program ;
• Enforces antitrust laws in the health care, health insurance, and pharmaceutical industries;
• Protects vulnerable populations and working to decrease racial inequalities in health care;
• Investigates and prosecutes health care providers that steal taxpayer money by defrauding MassHealth (Medicaid);
• Represents consumers’ interests in health insurance rate-setting procedures;
• Acts as the government’s lawyer, defending legislation and government actions when they are challenged and issuing advisory opinions to the government;
• Combats dangers to public health that result from illegal activities relating to tobacco and firearms; and
• Sues or prosecutes those who abuse or neglect nursing home residents.

In December 2007, Attorney General Coakley delivered the keynote address at the American Bar Association’s fifth annual Washington Health Care Summit, held in Arlington, Virginia.  Attorney General Coakley’s remarks, titled “Striving for Universal, Affordable Health Care: Lessons from Massachusetts,” focused on health care initiatives and enforcement actions taken in Massachusetts, including the recent enactment and implementation of the statewide health care reform plan.

Read the full text of Attorney General Coakley’s remarks:

• Striving for Universal, Affordable Health Care: Lessons from Massachusetts