The Final Public Charge Admissibility Rule: Implications for Massachusetts
The revised federal public charge rule – which was finalized in August 2019 and took effect in Massachusetts in February 2020 – makes it harder for certain low- and moderate-income immigrants to obtain green cards or visas if they have applied for or enrolled in public benefits such as MassHealth or the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). This report describes the expected effects of the revised federal public charge rule on MassHealth and SNAP enrollment, and its downstream effects on the health of Massachusetts residents, health care providers, and the state’s economy.
Expanding Access to Behavioral Health Care in Massachusetts through Telehealth: Sustaining Progress Post-Pandemic
At the onset of the COVID-19 public health emergency, Massachusetts led the nation in rapidly deploying progressive policies to temporarily expand access to telehealth. These changes have enabled significant increases in adoption of telehealth, including telebehavioral health, for providers and consumers in a short period of time. Prior to COVID-19, utilization of telebehavioral health had not gained widespread spread traction in Massachusetts despite its potential as a means to dramatically improve access to behavioral health care services, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Section 101 (Part 7): Connector Administration of Commonwealth Care Program
Authorizes the Connector to administer the Commonwealth Care health insurance program beginning October 1, 2006.
Section 101 (Part 6): Connector Small Business Participation Requirements
Outlines small business compliance requirements to participate in Connector health plans.
Section 101 (Part 5): Connector Seal of Approval Requirements
Establishes the criteria that health insurance plans must meet to receive the Seal of Approval and be offered through the Connector.
Section 101 (Part 4): Authoirze Sub-Connectors
Specifies that the Connector will offer products to eligible individuals and small groups.
Section 101 (Part 3): Connector Board Authority
Authorizes the Connector Board to offer insurance products to individuals and small businesses, publish a schedule for premiums at which individuals of varying ages are eligible, and establish a schedule for affordability to be used in enforcing the individual mandate based upon percentage of income eligible to be spent on health care.
Section 101 (Part 2): Establish Health Connector
Establishes the Connector as an authority within the Executive Office of Administration and Finance. Establishes the governance of the Connector by the 10-member board, chaired by the Secretary of Administration and Finance. The board is made up of 4 state officials and 6 citizens.
Section 101 (Part 1): Health Connector Statutory Definitions
Provides definitions for statute establishing the Connector.