Health Safety Net Program

Provides Health Care Quality and Cost Council - definitions of terms used in QCC statute.

Creates a special commission to study reducing or eliminating the payor assessment paid by insurers and self-insured employers for the Health Safety Net.

Creates an Essential Community Provider Trust Fund. Funds will be used to make grant payments to hospitals and community health centers in accordance with criteria established by the new Health Safety Net Office.

Creates Health Safety Net Office to replace current Uncompensated Care Pool administration. The Health Safety Net pays acute care hospitals and community health centers for certain essential services provided to uninsured and underinsured Massachusetts residents.

Establishes the Health Safety Net Office which administers the Health Safety Net program and the Health Safety Net Trust Fund.

Establishes the Health Safety Net Trust Fund.

Requires applicants for the Health Safety Net to be enrolled in other publicly-funded health programs, if eligible. Applicants deemed ineligible for such programs are required to provide the name and address of their employer and their own identifying information, including social security number.

Prohibits an employer from penalizing an employee if an employer must reimburse the Health Safety Net for health care services the employee received.