Massachusetts House Bill H1188

Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/16/23
• Refer: 2/16/23

Caption

Providing affordable care through out-of-pocket assistance

Impact

The bill mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority, evaluates the effectiveness of the assistance program. Collecting both quantitative and qualitative data, the assessment will include metrics such as rates of unmet medical needs due to cost and access difficulties experienced by diverse demographics. The findings will serve to gauge the program's impact on residents and may inform future legislative adjustments or enhancements to public health strategies.

Summary

House Bill H1188, titled 'An Act Providing Affordable Care Through Out-of-Pocket Assistance,' seeks to implement a cost-sharing assistance program for individuals with incomes at or below 500% of the federal poverty level who are enrolled in employer-sponsored insurance plans. The bill aims to alleviate financial burdens on low-income individuals by covering supplemental health insurance costs, including co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. This is particularly relevant in increasing access to healthcare and ensuring that individuals do not forego necessary medical care due to out-of-pocket expenses.

Contention

While the bill is structured to improve affordability for a significant portion of the population, potential points of contention may arise regarding the financial implications for the state budget and the effectiveness of implementation. Additionally, debates may occur over whether the thresholds set for income eligibility sufficiently address the needs of those in precarious financial situations. Moreover, the program's future viability will depend on continuous funding and political support, leading to discussions around healthcare priorities within the legislative framework.