Health Alert: Massachusetts Enacts Landmark Health Care Reform Bill: An Overview of H. 4850, An Act Providing Access to Affordable, Quality, Accountable Health Care
4/21/2006
On Wednesday, April 12, Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney signed into law a sweeping health care reform bill (House Bill H. 4850, as reported out by the Conference Committee) entitled, "An Act Providing Access to Affordable, Quality, Accountable Health Care" (the "Act"). The Act's stated purpose is to "more effectively cover currently uninsured low-income populations, and . . . make quality health coverage more affordable for all residents of the Commonwealth." It includes a mandate under which residents of the Commonwealth are generally required to obtain health insurance, and employers who do not offer health insurance to employees are subject to an assessment. There are also a host of provisions aimed at assuring access to coverage through premium support programs and providing so-called "safety net" care. The Act is structured to assure the availability of $385 million in federal matching funds under the most recently approved version of the Massachusetts' Medicaid waiver. It also makes important changes to the Commonwealth's Medicaid program by expanding benefits, especially to children, and by enhancing acute hospital and physician provider reimbursement.
Set out in this publication is a summary of the principal features of the Act.
