Bill > H1026

This bill establishes a Massachusetts Health Care Trust, a single-payer system designed to provide universal, affordable, and high-quality healthcare to all Massachusetts residents. The Trust will be governed by a board of trustees with diverse representation, including healthcare professionals, labor, seniors, and elected officials, and will be responsible for collecting and disbursing all funds for healthcare services. Key provisions include the establishment of a dedicated Health Care Trust Fund, funded through employer and employee payroll taxes, a tax on unearned income, and the consolidation of public healthcare spending and collateral sources of revenue. The bill aims to eliminate administrative waste, control costs through global budgeting and negotiated prices, and expand access to comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and prescription drugs, with no co-payments or deductibles for eligible participants. It also outlines provisions for eligible healthcare providers and facilities, payment structures, and transitional measures to ensure a smooth shift to the new system.