Press Release  Auditor Bump Appoints Barbara Blakeney of Waltham to Serve on Massachusetts Health Policy Commission

Boston — State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump appointed Barbara Blakeney, a native of Waltham, to serve on the Health Policy Commission (HPC). Blakeney was sworn in on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 and is filling the seat on the Commission held previously by Dr. Wendy Everett.

“Barbara’s breadth of health care experience—as a nurse, advocate, and educator—make her a valuable addition to the Health Policy Commission,” said Bump. “Her expertise in the development and utilization of innovative treatments and care will provide her with important insights into the challenges facing our health care system and driving cost growth. I look forward to working with her in this new position.”

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be appointed by Auditor Bump to the Health Policy Commission. The work of the Commission is vital to managing health care costs and access to high-quality care across the Commonwealth. I look forward to working with such a distinguished group to further the work of the Health Policy Commission,” said Blakeney.

Blakeney has more than 25 years of experience as the principal public health nurse for Homeless Services and Addiction Services and the director of clinical services for the Long Island Shelter Services for the City of Boston. Most recently, she was a fellow at the Center for Innovations in Care Delivery at Massachusetts General Hospital where she led multiple initiatives including a unit-based in Transitioning Care at the Bedside (TCAB) project. During this time she was also an innovation fellow at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). She is also an American Nurses Association Massachusetts (ANA Massachusetts) member and a past president of the American Nurses Association–the association representing the nation’s 4 million registered nurses.

“ANA Massachusetts is thrilled to have professional nurses represented by Barbara Blakeney, MS, RN, FNAP on the Health Policy Commission. Barbara has been a leader in nursing throughout her career. Among her many contributions, Barbara has made significant progress in improving patient care outcomes through technology, workforce safety and the practice environment. Ms. Blakeney has served as the President of the American Nurses Association and continues to advocate for underserved populations at Boston Healthcare for the Homeless as a member of the Board of Directors.” Donna M Glynn, PhD, RN, ANP, President, ANA Massachusetts

Established in 2012, HPC is an independent state agency charged with monitoring health care spending throughout the Commonwealth and providing data-driven policy recommendations regarding health care delivery and payment reform.

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