SUE: I AM SUE O'’CONNELL.

TONIGHT ON GREATER BOSTON HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE SETTLERS MASSACHUSETTS HEALTH INSURANCE AS THE PROGRAM REVIEWS MEMBER QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE YEARS.

WHAT WILL THE PROCESS LOOK LIKE?

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU LOSE COVERAGE?

LATER FORMER RED SOX PLAYER AND 2004 WORLD SERIES CHAMPION BRONSON ARROYO JOINS US ON THIS YEAR'’S ANNUAL BOSTON CHARITY SHOW HOT STOVE COOL MUSIC.

IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC THE STATE MEDICAID INSURANCE PROGRAM MASSHEALTH PUT A PAUSE ON ITS REVIEWS TO DETERMINE IF ITS MEMBERS STILL QUALIFY.

NOW FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE YEARS, THAT ANNUAL REVIEW IS UNDERWAY.

THE PROGRAM EXPECTS AROUND 300,000 PEOPLE WILL LOSE COVERAGE.

MASSHEALTH COVERS AROUND 2 MILLION DISABLED AND LOW INCOME ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN THE STATE.

THOUGH OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THEY BELIEVE THAT THE REVIEW WILL LARGELY AFFECT ABLE-BODIED ADULTS WHOSE FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGED SINCE THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

JOINING ME TO DISCUSS WHAT THIS WILL LOOK LIKE AND WHAT PATIENTS CAN EXPECT ARE THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR MASS HEALTH MICHAEL LEVINE, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE MASSACHUSETTS LEAGUE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS MICHAEL CURRY, AND AGENDA FOR -- JENNIFER SMITH, A STAFF REPORTER AT COMMONWEALTH MAGAZINE COVERING THE ELIGIBILITY REVIEW.

JENNIFER, I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

WHAT IS THE STORY HERE?

JENNIFER: WE ARE SEEING SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN KIND OF ON PAUSE FOR THREE YEARS.

PEOPLE WILL START RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS THAT THEY ARE BEING EITHER RECONSIDERED FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR MASS HEALTH AND THE GOVERNMENT TREATS MORE INFORMATION FROM THEM OR THEY ARE IN GOOD SHAPE AND THEY CAN EXPECT COVERAGE WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE RENEWED.

THE REASON THIS MIGHT SEEM LIKE IT IS COMING OUT OF NOWHERE FOR PEOPLE IS BECAUSE, AS YOU MENTIONED, THERE WAS A PAUSE BECAUSE WE GOT FEDERAL FUNDING FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND PART OF THAT CAME WITH THE REQUIREMENT THAT WE AUTOMATICALLY RE-ENROLL THE PEOPLE IN MOST NEED OF THE COVERAGE.

SUE: IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS ANNUAL REVIEW WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ANYWAY.

BECAUSE OF COVID, IT WAS PAUSED.

YOU WON'’T DO THIS.

IT DID NOT JUST ALL HAPPEN APRIL 1, RIGHT?

MICHAEL: IT'’S ABSOLUTELY A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN CLEAR AND WE HAVE BEEN HERE THAT WE WILL TAKE THE NEXT 12 MONTHS TO WORK THROUGH OUR FULL 2.3 MILLION-MEMBER CASELOAD.

SENDING OUT RENEWAL FORMS EVERY MONTH TO ABOUT 1/12 OF OUR MEMBERS TO GIVE EVERYBODY THE OPPORTUNITY AND A CHANCE TO WORK THROUGH THE ELIGIBILITY PROCESS, CONFIRM THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR MASSHEALTH OR FIND AFFORDABLE COVERAGE ON THE HEALTH CONNECTOR IF THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR MASSHEALTH.

SUE: HOW MUCH OF A HEAVY LIFT, MICHAEL LEVINE, IS THIS FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT?

NOW HAVING TO DO A BACKLOG.

I IMAGINE THAT LOTS OF FOLKS, I AM DEALING WITH A YOUNG ADULT IN MY HOUSEHOLD THAT I AM REMINDING YOU HAVE TO OPEN THE MAIL WHEN IT COMES IN AND CHECK YOUR VOICEMAIL WHEN THEY CALL.

I IMAGINE THERE ARE A LOT OF CHALLENGES HERE AND WORK YOUR OFFICE HAS TO DO TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT.

MICHAEL L.: THIS IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY THIS YEAR.

THE NORTHSTAR FOR US IS PRESERVING UNIVERSAL COVERAGE IN MASSACHUSETTS.

THE ONLY WAY YOU DO THAT IS TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY ELIGIBLE FOR MASS HEALTH STAYS IN ROLE -- ENROLLED AND EVERYBODY NOT ELIGIBLE FINDS AFFORDABLE INSURANCE ON THE HEALTH CONNECTOR WITH AN EMPLOYER.

WE HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE WITH THE NORMAL COURSE OF BUSINESS PRIOR TO COVID.

WE RENEWED YOU EVER YEAR.

-- EVERY YEAR.

WHAT MAKES THIS ART IS TWO THINGS.

ONE, OUR CASELOAD IS MUCH HIGHER THAN IT WAS PART OF COVID.

WE HAVE GROWN FROM 1.8 MILLION MEMBERS TO 2.3 MILLION MEMBERS AND THAT MEANS MORE PEOPLE WE HAVE TO RENEW.

WE ARE ALL COLLECTIVELY A LITTLE OUT OF PRACTICE.

WE HAVE CONTINUED TO SEND OUR MEMBERS REQUESTS TO CONFIRM ELIGIBILITY OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS, BUT IT WILL REALLY START MATTERING THIS YEAR.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT MEMBERS ARE AWARE.

ONE OF THE WAYS IN WHICH WE ARE DOING THAT IS WE ARE NOT JUST RELYING ON THE MAIL.

WE WILL BE TEXTING.

WE WILL BE EMAILING.

WE HAVE COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

THERE IS A LOT OF WORK UNDERWAY TO GET THE WORD OUT TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE KNOW THEY NEED TO TAKE ACTION.

SUE: MICHAEL CURRY, THE OTHER CONCERN HERE IS OBVIOUSLY THAT AREAS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT MIGHT BE MOST IMPACTED ARE BLACK AND BROWN.

MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY ALSO THAT TERRIBLE QUANDARY OF, YOU MADE JUST A LITTLE MORE MONEY THAN YOU DID BEFORE.

NOW, YOU ARE DISQUALIFIED AND, AS MICHAEL LEVINE SAYS, HOPEFULLY, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO FIND COVERAGE.

BUT, THAT TERRIBLE YOU HAVE GOTTEN FORWARD, NOW WE WILL MOVE YOU BACK A SECOND TRAP THAT OUR SYSTEM SEEMS TO DO.

WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS?

HOW ARE YOU ADDRESSING THEM?

MICHAEL C.: ONE, CREDIT TO MIKE LEVINE.

AS WE STARTED THE CONVERSATION WEEKS AGO HE SAID, HEY, MICHAEL, I NEED TO COME BY THE OFFICE TO MEET WITH YOU AND FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY.

WE ALSO HAD THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE NEWLY APPOINTED SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES KATE WALSH AND THE GOVERNOR AS WELL.

WE ARE FORTUNATE TO BE IN MASSACHUSETTS BECAUSE WE GET IT AND WE DO STILL FACE CHALLENGES.

WE DO THAT TOGETHER IN A WAY THAT MUCH OF THE REST OF THE COUNTRY DOES NOT DO.

THAT BEING SAID, VULNERABLE PEOPLE FACE THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES.

IF THE STATE IS OUT OF PRACTICE, WE ARE OUT OF PRACTICE IN GETTING THE MAIL AND CHECKING THE MAIL, GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS OF BEING REDETERMINED.

THAT MEANS I MAY LOSE COVERAGE.

MIKE KNOWS THE TERM WE USE IN HEALTH POLICY.

WE CALL IT CHURN.

PEOPLE ARE ON COVERAGE, THEN THEY ARE NOT COVERED AND TO GET A JOB.

THEY DON'’T HAVE A JOB.

THEY ARE BALANCING DIFFERENT TIMES OF COVERAGE OR NO COVERAGE.

OUR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE THERE WHEREVER THEY ARE AND WE CAN HELP THEM NAVIGATE THE SYSTEMS AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS TO GET THE RIGHT COVERAGE FROM THE CONNECTOR, WHETHER IT IS MEDICAID.

WHATEVER IT IS, WE HAVE TO BE READY AND WILLING AND ABLE TO PROVIDE THEM RISK -- WITH RESOURCES THEY NEED.

JENNIFER: JENNIFER: JENNIFER, THIS IS A TOUGH STORY TO COVER.

AS A REPORTER AND JOURNALIST YOU HAVE TO EXPLAIN WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.

THEN, EXPLAIN WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD DO.

THEN IT IS GENERALLY IN AN AREA WHERE FOLKS DO NOT WANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO IT.

OBVIOUSLY, TO THE POINT OF OUR OTHER GUESTS, THERE ARE ALSO CARETAKERS THAT ARE TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE THAT MIGHT BE DISABLED OR NEED EXTRA HELP OR NEED SOME ASSISTANCE WITH LANGUAGE BARRIERS AND OTHER CULTURAL BARRIERS.

HOW DID YOU APPROACH COVERING THE STORY?

YOU DID A GREAT JOB MAKING IT VERY CLEAR AND THAT IS WHY I INVITED YOU HERE TO DO THE WORK FOR ME.

[LAUGHTER] JENNIFER: ESPECIALLY IN A CASE LIKE THIS THE BALANCE THAT IS DELICATE CAN BE MAKING SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM AND WHAT THEY CAN REASONABLY EXPECT WHILE AT THE SAME TIME NOT CAUSING UNDUE PANIC.

IT IS REALLY EASY TO GET TIED UP IN THE BIG HEADLINE OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO GET NEWS THAT IS NEW TO THEM AT LEAST, AND NOT WELCOME, PERHAPS, AS WELL.

WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT THE STORY I TRIED TO MAKE SURE I WAS ACCOUNTED FOR REGIONAL DIFFERENCES IN MASSACHUSETTS TOO.

I WAS TALKING TO FOLKS INTERESTED IN MAKING SURE THAT NOT JUST COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND NOT JUST KIND OF DISABLED OR OTHER MINORITY POPULATIONS WERE BEING INFORMED.

BUT ALSO, ONES WHERE THE DIFFICULTY IS, TO MIKE LEVINE'’S POINT, THAT YOU WILL NEED TO GET PEOPLE OUT ON DOORS.

PEOPLE WILL NEED TO PHYSICALLY TELL PEOPLE OUT IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE, LOOK AT YOUR MAIL.

ENTER YOUR PHONE.

WHEN I WAS THINKING ABOUT HOW TO TRY AND EXPLAIN THIS AS NEATLY AS POSSIBLE I WAS REALLY TO TRY TO BREAK IT DOWN AND KEEP IT SIMPLE AND ALSO TRY NOT TO PANIC PEOPLE.

JUST SAY, BE ON THE LOOKOUT.

SUE: MICHAEL LEVINE, AND YOU DID A GOOD JOB, JENNIFER, BY THE WAY.

MICHAEL LEVINE, IF YOU ARE ON MASS HEALTH ON THE CONNECTOR WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING NOW?

SHOULD YOU BE BEING PROACTIVE?

OR, SHOULD YOU WAIT?

SHOULD YOU JUST MAKE SURE YOU ARE CHECKING YOUR TEXT MESSAGES, OR THAT YOUR INFORMATION IS UPDATED AS WELL?

YOUR PHONE NUMBERS, YOUR CONTACT INFO?

MICHAEL L.: ABSOLUTELY.

IF YOU HAVE MOVED, YOU SHOULD CALL US AND LET US KNOW.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF YOU NEED TO RESPOND TO A BLUE ENVELOPE WHEN WE SEND YOU ONE IN THE MAIL TO PROVIDE US UPDATED INFORMATION, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE SEND THAT TO THE RIGHT ADDRESS.

OTHERWISE, ASIDE FROM UPDATING YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION, I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE MAIL.

OR, A TEXT, OR EMAILS.

TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN YOU DO GET THE REQUEST FROM US TO GIVE US A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION , YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE ABOUT 45 DAYS TO RESPOND.

AND IT IS NOT JUST US WHO -- IT IS NOT JUST MASSHEALTH OR THE CONNECTOR THAT SOMEONE WILL BE HEARING FROM.

YOU WILL PROBABLY BE HEARING FROM THE PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN AT A COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER.

THEY WILL PROBABLY BE HEARING FROM THEIR HEALTH PLAN.

THEY WILL BE HEARING FROM LOTS OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR A BLUE ENVELOPE YET RESPOND WHEN THEY RECEIVE IT.

SUE: I AM ALREADY FEELING THE PAIN OF THE STAFF AT HEALTH CENTERS.

ITEM -- I KNOW HOW MUCH STRESS AND BURNOUT AND, CHURN, TO YOUR WORD, HAS BEEN AT ALL MEDICAL FACILITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS, THE BURNOUT THERE AS WELL AS SUPPORT STAFF.

NOW, THIS ADDITIONAL LAYER OF THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE DONE.

WOULDN'’T IT BE GREAT IF WE COULD LEAVE ALL OF THESE PEOPLE ON MASSHEALTH AT THE STATUS THEY ARE?

I KNOW YOU ARE A DATA-DRIVEN GUY, BUT, WE DO NOT HAVE STATISTICS ON HOW THIS COVERAGE IN -- IMPROVES THE OUTCOMES OF PEOPLE THAT WERE COVERED DUE TO THE THREE YEAR PAUSE.

BUT, I IMAGINE YOU HAVE FEELINGS ABOUT THAT.

HOW THINGS WOULD JUST BE BETTER IF WE DID LEAVE IT THE WAY THAT IT WAS.

MICHAEL C.: SOME OF THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.

WE KNOW THAT THE PEOPLE HAVE BETTER OUTCOMES IF THEY HAVE A RELATIONSHIP.

IF THEY HAVE COVERAGE, THEN, A RELATIONSHIP WITH A PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER THAT KEEPS THEM OUT OF THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

THAT KEEPS THEM OUT OF INPATIENT.

IT TREATS THEIR DISEASE.

IT KEEPS THEM HEALTHY WITH PREVENTIVE CARE.

AS WE WENT FROM 1.8 TO 2.3, THAT MEANT MORE PEOPLE HAD ACCESS.

THEY HAD RELIABLE COVERAGE.

IT'’S CONCERNING.

HEALTH CENTERS ARE ON THE FRONT LINE, AS MIKE LEVINE KNOWS.

WHAT I WORRY ABOUT THAT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT IS ONE, THEY ARE DEALING WITH THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE EVERYONE IS DEALING WITH.

YOU COULD HAVE EVERY HEALTH CENTER AND IN THE STATE DEALING WITH LOSING A PROVIDER.

THAT MEANS, IT COULD TAKE YOU A YEAR OR 1.5 YEARS TO RECRUIT A NEW ONE.

THAT MEANS AN ACCESS ISSUE.

ON TOP OF THAT, EVEN WITH DEFERRED CARE.

MANY PEOPLE HAVE NOT COME INTO GET THEIR TEETH, THEIR EYES, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, THERE ARE THE -- OVERALL PHYSICAL HEALTH CARE FOR.

REDETERMINATION IS ANOTHER ASPECT OF THE TSUNAMI OF A LOT OF DIFFERENT CONCERNS.

WE HAVE TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF IT.

I THINK MIKE AND HIS TEAM, AS WELL AS THE GOVERNOR AND SECRETARY ARE DOING A TREMENDOUS JOB FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS INVESTING IN COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS.

PEOPLE BEING PATIENT NAVIGATORS.

PEOPLE BEING ENGAGED WITH PATIENTS TO COME IN.

CAN WE HELP YOU?

CAN WE GUIDE YOU?

THAT IS WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING.

I HOPE IT WILL HAVE THE MAXIMUM IMPACT.

ALLYCE: SUE: I KNOW WE ARE NOT OVER COVID.

I DON'’T WANT TO GIVE FALSE INFORMATION THE PANDEMIC IS OVER.

WE ARE IN A SPOT NOW WHERE WE SEE MEDLEY STABILIZED AND WE KNOW WHAT IS WHAT.

I AM WONDERING IF THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY AT LARGE IS TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXAMINE WHAT WAS DONE CORRECTLY AND WHAT WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY.

I DO NOT MEAN IN TERMS OF VACCINES AND SERVING.

I MEAN IN DELIVERING HEALTH CARE AND THE STAFFING ISSUES.

AND IF THAT IS HELPING TO GIVE SOME TEMPLES -- TENT POLES OR FOUNDATION MAY BE TO THE IDEA THAT IF WE HAD BETTER ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, IF NOT FREE, HEALTH CARE, WE MIGHT HAVE HAD BETTER OUTCOMES.

IS THAT DISCUSSION HAPPENING NOW?

MICHAEL L.: I DO HAVE TO SAY WE ARE INCREDIBLY FORTUNATE TO BE IN MASSACHUSETTS.

IN LARGE PART, FOR A LOT OF REASONS, BUT, MASS -- MASSHEALTH AND THE HEALTH CONNECTED TOGETHER ARE AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM THAT WILL ALLOW PEOPLE TO FIND AFFORDABLE COVERAGE WHETHER THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR MASSHEALTH OR THE CONNECTOR.

IT IS REALLY A SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE FOR MEMBERS TRANSITIONING FROM ONE COVERAGE TYPE TO ANOTHER THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO MAINTAIN ACCESS TO A PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR OR HEALTH CENTER OR ENABLE THEM TO KEEP WHATEVER PHARMACY REGIMENT AS THEY ARE ON.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF OTHER STATES DO NOT HAVE.

YOUR QUESTION ABOUT, WHAT HAS THE ACCESS MEANT AND IT DID WE GET IT RIGHT?

AT MASS HEALTH WE ARE FOCUSED ON CREATING AN INTEGRATED PRIMARY CARE BASED MODEL FOR ALL MEMBERS.

FOR A CANNIBAL CARE ORGANIZATIONS.

AND THROUGH A PRIMARY CARE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE BUILDING TOGETHER OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

I THINK EVEN AS WE GO BACK TO WHAT I WILL CALL BUSINESS AS USUAL WHERE YOU HAVE TO CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY EVERY YEAR TO MAINTAIN MASSHEALTH, I THINK IT IS REALLY CRITICAL THAT WHETHER YOU HAVE MEDICAID, YOU ARE ON THE CONNECTOR, ON MEDICARE, YOU HAVE PRIMARY CARE.

THAT CAN GIVE YOU THE SUPPORT THAT YOU NEED.

AND YOU LIVE IN A STATE WHERE YOU WILL NOT EXPERIENCE A KIND OF COVERAGE GAPS YOU WILL SEE ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY WHERE THE MEDICAID, THE HEALTH CONNECTOR, AND EMPLOYERS ARE WORKING SO CLOSELY TOGETHER.

SUE: JENNIFER, WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS FOR YOU AT COMMONWEALTH MAGAZINE COVERING THE STORY?

WHAT HAPPENS?

DO YOU FOLLOW IT ALL THE WAY ALONG?

JENNIFER: THE REAL JOY FOR ME IS FROM THE HEARING THAT I WAS COVERING, THERE WERE A FEW THINGS THAT MIKE LEVINE POINTED OUT THAT WILL ACTUALLY MAKE IT EASIER NOT JUST FOR JOURNALISTS TO FOLLOW THIS, BUT ALSO, PEOPLE IN GENERAL TO FOLLOW THIS AND COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS AND HEALTH ADVOCATES.

WHICH IS, A BIT MORE INFORMATION ON THE DATA.

SEEN WHERE PEOPLE ARE LOSING COVERAGE, WHY THEY ARE LOSING COVERAGE, WHO, ANONYMIZED OF COURSE, IS LOSING COVERAGE.

TOO KIND TO GET A HANDLE ON THE DEMOGRAPHICS WE ARE LOOKING AT ESPECIALLY AREAS OF CONCERN.

THE OTHER THING TO KEEP IN MIND THAT HAS STRUCK ME THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS THAT I WILL KEEP AN EYE ON IS THE EMPHASIS ON SMOOTH HANDOFF.

THERE WAS CONCERN FROM LAWMAKERS DURING THE HEARING BASICALLY SAYING WE KNOW THAT WHEN SOMETHING BREAKS DOWN, IT'’S NOT JUST COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS THAT GET THE CALL.

WE GET THE CALL.

OUR OFFICES MIGHT BE FLOODED WITH CONCERNED PEOPLE.

THEY REFERRED BACK TO WHAT ENDED UP BEING THE SITUATION WITH UNEMPLOYMENT.

DURING COVID.

SO, THAT IS STILL A BAD MEMORY IN THE MINDS OF NOT JUST A LOT OF RESIDENTS, BUT A LOT OF LAWMAKERS.

I AM LOOKING TO SEE GOING FORWARD HOW WELL MASS HEALTH AND AT THE STATE IN GENERAL COORDINATES BETWEEN DIFFERENT POINTS OF CONTACT THAT PEOPLE MIGHT BE RUNNING INTO.

SUE: MICHAEL CURRY, I WILL GIVE YOU THE LAST WORD TO FOLKS WATCHING AND TO YOUR ACROSS THE STATE.

MICHAEL C.: ONE, I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WE FIGURED IT OUT IN COVID AND WE CAN CARRY THOSE LESSONS FORWARD.

YOU NEED THE COMMUNITY ENGAGED.

YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE THE COMMUNITY IS AT THE TABLE AND EQUITY CENTERS ALL THE WORK.

WE NEED TO DRIVE RESOURCES WHERE THE MOST VULNERABILITY IS.

IN THIS 300,000 POPULATION OF FOLKS THAT ARE VULNERABLE, LET'’S MAKE SURE WE GET THEM ON THE COVERAGE AND THEY DO NOT FALL INTO THE CRACKS.

SUE: MICHAEL LEVINE, MICHAEL CURRY, JENNIFER SMITH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHT.

I WISH YOU GOOD LUCK.

KEEP US POSTED.

THANK YOU.

FOR OVER 20 YEARS THE EVENT HOT STOVE COOL MUSIC HAS BEEN COMBINING MUSIC, BASEBALL, AND CHARITY IN ONE MEGA NIGHT.

THE 2000 BORN BRAIN CHILD OF EMMA B HALL OF FAME JOURNALIST PETER GAMMONS FOUND PARTNERSHIP A FEW YEARS LATER IN THE FOUNDATION TO BE NAMED LATER FOUNDED BY BROTHERS PAUL AND FORMER RED SOX GM THEO EPSTEIN PRAYED ON THE HEELS OF THE CURSE BREAKING 2004 WORLD SERIES WHEN.

IN THE YEARS SINCE THE STAGE HAS BEEN GRACED BY EDDIE VETTER, JOHN LEGEND, AND JAMES TAYLOR.

THIS YEAR IN CELEBRATION OF THE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE RED SOX 2013 WORLD SERIES WHEN, THE ADVENT -- THE EVENT WILL FEATURE AN OFF THE MOUND PARTY WITH APPEARANCES FORM FORMER RED SOX PLAYERS RAISING MONEY FOR THE FOUNDATION TO BE NAMED LATER.

I AM JOINED BY ONE OF THE HEADLINERS OF THE EVENT FORMER RED SOX PITCHER AND 2004 WORLD SERIES CHAMPION BRONSON ARROYO PERFORMING WITH HIS BAND THE04 AS WELL AS THE CEO AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FOUNDATION TO BE NAMED LATER ALLYCE NAJIMY.

WELCOME, BOTH OF YOU.

I AM SO EXCITED WHEN I SAY WORLD CHAMPION.

AS AN OVER 60-YEAR-OLD IT IS STILL SUCH A THRILL FOR ME AS I AM SURE IT IS FOR BOTH OF YOU.

WELCOME, SO EXCITING.

WHAT ELSE DO WE EXPECT?

WHAT ELSE CAN HAPPEN AT THIS FABULOUS EVENT, BRONSON?

TELL ME MORE ABOUT IT?

BRONSON: IT IS USUALLY A GREAT NIGHT OF ROCK '’N'’ ROLL.

IN THE OLD DAYS, THE OLD DAYS, ALMOST 20 YEARS SINCE WE WON THE WORLD SERIES IT WOULD BE SIX OR SEVEN BANDS PLAYING SONGS AT NIGHT, A HOT DIRTY ROCK CLUB THAT MADE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WERE IN THE CBGB'’S OR SOMETHING.

THIS YEAR WILL BE DOING THE CITY WINERY AND OFF THE MOUND, A JIMMY FALLON STYLE SHOW.

YOU CAN EXPECT A COUPLE X BALL FLYERS -- EX BALLPLAYERS COMING UP.

A HEALTH AND WITH BRASS.

GUYS LIKE JAKE PETER WILL JUMP UP AND PERFORM A LITTLE AND MY BAND WILL DO US SET AT THE END OF THE MIND -- MIGHT AS WELL.

SUE: WHAT KIND OF MUSIC YOU PLAY?

BRONSON: IT IS ROCK '’N'’ ROLL.

PEARL JAM, TOM PETTY, A MIXTURE OF INFLUENCES FROM THE EARLY 90'’S.

I PUT A RECORD OUT FEBRUARY 17 AND THAT IS WHAT WE WILL PERFORM THIS YEAR.

SUE: FOR FOLKS WHO MAY NOT UNDERSTAND THE TERMINOLOGY, WHAT IS A HOT STOVE?

ALLYCE: EVERYTHING WE DO WE KIND OF GET CREATIVE WITH.

FROM OUR NAME OF THE FOUNDATION, HOT STOVE COOL MUSIC.

LIKE YOU MENTION, PETER GAMMONS STARTED HOT STOVE COOL MUSIC IN EARLY 2000'’S.

IT WAS IN THE WINTERTIME WHEN THERE WAS NOT A LOT GOING ON IN BASEBALL.

IN THE WINTER, YOU PROBABLY KNOW, THEY CALL THE WINTER SEASON IN BASEBALL THE HOT STOVE SEASON.

THAT IS LIKE, WHAT IS COOKING ON THE HOT STOVE?

WHO IS TRADING WHO?

WHO WILL GO WHERE?

WHAT DEALS WILL BE MADE?

PETER THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, IT IS HOT STOVE TIME.

LET'’S PLAY SOME COOL MUSIC.

SUE: LOVE IT.

A PLAYER TO ME NAMED LATER IS THE INSPIRATION FOR THE FOUNDATION NAME, RIGHT?

ALLYCE: YES.

THE STORY GOES THAT PAUL AND THEO EPSTEIN STARTED THE FOUNDATION AND IT DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO NAME IT.

SO, PAUL, THEO'’S TWIN BROTHER SAID, LET'’S NAME IT LATER.

THEO SAID, LET'’S NAME AFTER THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TRADE TERM PLAYER TO BE NAMED LATER.

SUE: BRONSON, TALK TO ME ABOUT SOME OF THE CHARITIES AND THINGS THAT YOU DO AND THAT THE FOUNDATION DOES TO STAY CONNECTED THAT BRINGS THAT THE CHARITABLE ASPECT OF THE BASEBALL FOUNDATION AND THE GOOD WORKS TO THE COMMUNITIES.

BRONSON: YES.

ALL OF THE MONEY WE HAVE RAISED OVER ALL OF THESE YEARS GOES RIGHT TO NEW ENGLAND.

IT IS A LOT OF PLACES LIKE THE BASE.

WHERE YOU HAVE UNDERPRIVILEGED KIDS.

A LOT OF TIMES, FROM LATIN COMMUNITIES.

THEY ARE GETTING AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY BASEBALL.

TO BE TAKEN CARE OF IN A WAY WHERE THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET SCHOLARSHIPS.

PETER GAMMONS HAS GIVEN OUT 270 AT LEAST SCHOLARSHIPS OVER THE YEARS.

ALL OF THESE KIDS ARE RUNNING WITH THE BALL TURNING OUT TO BE ROCK STARS IN THE WORLD PLAYING IT FORWARD TO THE COMMUNITY.

IT IS SUCH A TIGHTKNIT GROUP OF PEOPLE.

YOU CAN FEEL SO MUCH LOVE WHEN WE SHOW UP TO THESE PLACES, HOW APPRECIATIVE THEY ARE OF OUR TIME AND MONEY.

THE KIDS ARE TAKING THE BALL RUNNING WITH IT AND DOING GREAT THINGS IN THEIR OWN SUE: LIVES AS WELL.

SUE:CAN YOU SHARE A STORY OF SOMEONE YOU ENCOUNTERED THAT THE FOUNDATION HAS HELPED OR TOUCHED OR SOMEONE WHO HAS IMPACTED YOU THAT YOU HAVE DONE WORK WITH THROUGH THE FOUNDATION?

ALLYCE: I MEAN, I HAVE LITERALLY 270 STORIES.

BUT, ONE OF MY FAVORITE STORIES IS LESLIE WAS ONE OF OUR FIRST SCHOLARS THAT WE EVER SELECTED, 11 YEARS AGO.

SHE CAME WITH HER FAMILY FROM THE DOMINICAN.

THEY HAD NOTHING.

THEY DID NOT EVEN SPEAKING BUSH.

WE SELECTED HER AS A SCHOLAR.

SHE GOT TO HER GROW TO HER DREAMS GO UMASS AMHERST.

WE GIVE EVERY SCHOLAR AND AMAZING, CARING MENTOR.

SHE WENT TO LAW SCHOOL.

THAT WAS HER DREAM.

SHE GOT HER LAW DEGREE.

SHE GRADUATED.

WE STUCK WITH HER.

NOW SHE RUNS OUR ENTIRE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

SUE: THAT IS AMAZING.

THIS IS NOT JUST DURING HOT STOVE SEASON.

THE FOUNDATION DOES WORK ALL YEAR LONG ALL THE TIME, RIGHT?

ALLYCE: YES.

IN BOSTON AND CHICAGO WE ARE A FULL-TIME FOUNDATION.

HOT STOVE COOL MUSIC IS OUR SIGNATURE EVENT THAT RAISES THE MONEY.

BECAUSE, BRONSON, PETER, THEO, ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS HAVE A REALLY FUN TIME ADDED -- AND IT DO A LOT OF GOOD.

WE DON'’T DO BORING EVENTS.

WE REALLY FUN EVENTS.

WE DO A LOT OF BED.

WE DO -- WE DO A LOT OF GOOD.

OUR SIGNATURE PROGRAM IS CALLED THE PETER GAMMONS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM BECAUSE HE STARTED HOT STOVE.

WHICH REALLY IS OUR SIGNATURE FUNDRAISER EVENT.

NOW WE HAVE 270 KIDS.

MOST HAVE OVERCOME THE ODDS TO GET TO COLLEGE.

THEY ARE SUCH GOOD KIDS.

THEY HAVE A HIGH FINANCIAL NEED.

THEY HAVE A COMMITMENT TO SERVICE.

WE HAVE A 98% COLLEGE GRADUATION RATE.

SUE: AMAZING.

ALLYCE: WE ARE PROUD OF THAT.

THEY EACH HAVE A MENTOR AND A GROUP OF PEOPLE LIKE BRONSON, PETER, BERTIE -- BERNIE WILLIAMS FROM ALL THESE PEOPLE CARE ABOUT THEM.

BIG HEARTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

EACH PERSON INCLUDING BRONSON, EDDIE VEDDER, JAMES TAYLOR, THEY DONATE THEIR TIME AND TALENT TO HOT STOVE.

SO ALTHOUGH MANY CAN GO STRAIGHT TO THE KIDS.

SUE: IT IS A SHAME YOU CANNOT GET ANY BIG NAMES.

MAYBE THERE IS AN ASPIRATIONAL MOMENT OF THAT, RIGHT?

[LAUGHTER] JUST AN AMAZING LINEUP.

BRONSON, I IMAGINE FOR YOU IT'’S GREAT TO DO GOOD WORK AND GIVE TO THE COMMUNITIES AND GIVE TO THE FOLKS THAT SUPPORT BASEBALL THAT YOU WANT TO SUPPORT BASEBALL.

BUT IT MUST BE A BLAST FOR YOU TOO TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS BROTHERHOOD OF BASEBALL WHERE YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING THAT YOU LOVE DOING, IN THIS CASE, PLAYING MUSIC, AND HELPING THE COMMUNITIES.

BRONSON: ABSOLUTELY.

SEEING THE GUYS, STANDING ON THE STAGE WITH A GUY LIKE REDDY WILLIAMS, AN ADVERSARY FOR SO MANY YEARS WITH THE YANKEES, HAS BEEN A JOY IN THE AFTERLIFE OF BASEBALL.

ALSO PART OF THE REASON WHY MY BAND, THE 04 BAND'’S TOGETHER IS BECAUSE OF THE CHARITIES.

THESE ARE NEW ENGLAND GUYS THAT HAVE PLAYED AROUND THE WORLD WITH PEOPLE LIKE MILEY CYRUS.

WE ALL CAME TOGETHER AT THE EVENT AND WE PLAY A LOT OF COVER SONGS OVER THE YEARS.

I NEEDED A BACKING BAND.

IT TURNED INTO, 20 YEARS LATER, A BAND OF MY OWN WRITING THESE SONGS.

IN A LOT OF WAYS THE CHARITY JUMP STARTED MY MUSIC CAREER AND IT IS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART SEE OLD GUYS COME BACK.

GUYS LIKE KEVIN MULLARKEY MAY ANYBODY WHO SHOWS UP.

LENNY DINARDO.

THESE GUYS ARE FANTASTIC TEAMMATES AND THEY WERE GREAT FRIENDS AND WE DON'’T SEE EACH OTHER AS MUCH AS WE WOULD LIKE.

IT IS ALWAYS A BALL.

SUE: IF FOLKS CAN'’T MAKE THE EVENT, HOW THEN -- CAN THEY CONNECT AND HELP THE FOUNDATION TO BE NAMED LATER THROUGHOUT THE YEAR?

ARE THERE VOLUNTEER OR DONATION OPPORTUNITIES?

ALLYCE: ABSOLUTELY YES.

THANK YOU.

AS I SAID, WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR SCHOLARS.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR INTERNSHIPS FOR SCHOLARS AS THEY CAN GET THEIR DREAM JOBS.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO MENTOR OUR SCHOLARS.

WE USUALLY FIND OUR MENTORS IN OUR CIRCLE OF HOT STOVE COOL MUSIC SUPPORTERS.

WE ALSO NEED DONATIONS.

EVERY PENNY COUNTS.

BECAUSE, WE STAY WITH OUR SCHOLARS FOR FOUR YEARS.

WE WORK WITH THE NONPROFITS THAT CHAMPION THEM.

OUR WEBSITE, WE ARE SO EXCITED.

WE LOVE OUR NEW WEBSITE.

THERE IS A DONATE BUTTON RIGHT THERE AT THE TOP.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TYPE OUT FOUNDATION TO BE NAMED LATER.

JUST TYPE OUT THE NHL'’S.

FTBNL.ORG.

THERE IS A HOT STOVE COOL MUSIC HISTORY SECTION WHERE YOU CAN SEE PICTURES OF BRONSON, ALL OF OUR HEADLINERS, ALL OF OUR MC'’S, ALL OF OUR BANDMATES, ALL OF OUR ALL-STARS.

IT IS JUST A GOOD PLACE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT WE DO ON OUR NEW WEBSITE.

THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE.

SUE: IT DOES INDEED.

BRONSON ARROYO I WILL YET -- LET YOU TAKE US OUT.

BRONSON: HOT STOVE COOL MUSIC AT CITY WINERY ON APRIL 15.

DOORS ARE AT 6:00.

WE OPEN UP AT 7:30 AND IT WILL BE A GREAT SHOW.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHO WILL SHOW UP, DAVID ORTIZ, PEDRO MARTINEZ, DUSTIN OR DORIS.

COME ENJOY YOURSELF.

SUE: BRONSON IS COMING FOR MY JOB NEXT, I CAN FEEL IT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING IT.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE FOUNDATION AND EVENT HAD TO FT BNL.ORG.

THAT'’S IT FOR TONIGHT.

COME BACK TOMORROW FOR TALKING POLITICS.

MASS GOP CHAIR AMY CARNEVALE WILL JOIN ADAM REILLY ON THE TRUMP INDICTMENT AND WHETHER IT COMMENTATES OR PUSHED TO REMAKE THE STATES GOP PARTY.

PLUS, WHAT IS DRIVING THE GROWING CONSERVATIVE PUSH TO BAN BOOKS IN THE SOUTH COAST PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THAT AND MORE TOMORROW AT 7:00.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.