Bill > S852

This bill aims to expand health safety net eligibility and financial support for uninsured and underinsured patients in Massachusetts. The legislation modifies existing law to establish new guidelines for patient eligibility, specifically allowing individuals with incomes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level to qualify for reimbursable health services. Patients whose income is between 200 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level may be subject to a deductible, and the eligibility will be retroactively applied for at least 180 days prior to an application's receipt. Additionally, the bill requires the health safety net office to convene a task force composed of experts from various healthcare sectors to investigate the financing of the Health Safety Net Trust Fund. This task force will study the fund's shortfall, payment amounts from hospitals and other entities, reimbursement mechanisms, and potential financial transfers. The task force must submit a comprehensive report with its findings and recommendations to the state legislature within one year of the legislation's effective date, with the goal of improving healthcare access and reducing medical debt for low and moderate-income residents.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S852