• Improving Wellness and Quality of Health Care Overview

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    The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) is the Commonwealth's primary health agency, leading efforts to improve wellness and the quality of care for all residents. Our role is multi-faceted. We influence policies that govern how the state delivers and funds public health services. Through MassHealth, we provide comprehensive health insurance (or help in paying for private health insurance) to 1.2 million residents. As a provider, we operate health facilities that provide acute and chronic medical care, outpatient services to veterans, and mental health services to individuals of all ages. In our role as the state's public health authority, we promote public health in the areas of communicable diseases, community health access, emergency preparedness, environmental health, family health and nutrition, health care safety, and health care quality.

    Massachusetts is the leader in health care reform in the United States. As the first state to pursue near universal health care coverage, we now lead the nation in insuring our population, with more than 97 percent of residents insured. However, our work is far from complete. We continue to make high-quality, affordable health care available to all residents while pursuing innovative strategies to reduce health care costs.

    Focus Areas


  • Ensuring Access to Care

    As a national leader in health care reform, we provide access to health care coverage and services for individuals and families regardless of socioeconomic status.

  • Advancing Health Care Quality

    We ensure that health care is safe, timely, efficient, effective, equitable, and person-centered.

  • Containing Health Care Costs

    We contain rising health care costs in Massachusetts through meaningful reforms.

  • Promoting Individual Wellness

    We improve the health and wellness of Massachusetts residents by focusing on areas such as smoking cessation and prevention, healthy weight, and childhood vaccinations.

  • Promoting Healthy Communities

    We eliminate health disparities by creating policies and regulations that support healthy communities and by partnering with local communities to create healthier environments.