State Senate Releases Budget

The Massachusetts Senate approved their budget proposal earlier this week. The House-Senate Conference Committee is now meeting to reconcile the budget versions approved by each chamber. That joint document will then go to the Governor for his signature (and vetoes). What follows is a summary of key provisions in the Senate budget.

• Expand enrollment in MassHealth Essential . The Senate budget adds $23 million to the MassHealth Essential account, which would allow the program to enroll around 53,000 people next year. The House budget caps enrollment at about 43,000, which would result in a continued waiting list.
• Affordable premiums in the Children's Medical Security Plan . The budget restructures CMSP premiums to eliminate premiums for kids below 200% of poverty, and restores more affordable premiums for those between 200% and 300% of poverty. This provision was not in the House budget.
• Restore coverage to senior and disabled legal immigrants . The Senate joined the House in funding coverage for 3000 elderly and disabled legal immigrants. Both bills include language preventing the administration from disqualifying people based on their sponsor's income.
• Dental care for pregnant women and new moms . The budget takes the first step towards restoring dental benefits for adults. The plan provides dental benefits to pregnant women and mothers with children up to 3 years old. While advocates are grateful to the Senate leadership for taking this first step, groups such as Health Care for All plan to advocate forcefully for full restoration of dental benefits.
• Protect Prescription Advantage enrollees . The budget provides for an open enrollment period next spring (2006), includes funding to subsidize co-payments for low-income enrollees, and language allowing the program to supplement costs imposed by the new Medicare drug benefits.
• Repeal MassHealth Enrollment Caps . A section repeals the authority for MassHealth to cap enrollment in the CommonHealth program for the disabled and the MassHealth HIV program.
• Require hearings before cuts . A provision directs MassHealth to hold public hearings before making cuts to eligibility or benefits.
• Outreach grants included - the Senate matched the House's proposal by including $500,000 for MassHealth enrollment outreach grants. Tens of thusands of eligible low-income Bay Staters are uninsured because they don't know about their MassHealth eligibility. Without coverage, they don't get critical preventive and primary care. Community groups can find these people and get them signed up for the MassHealth programs for which they are eligible.

The following amendments supported by Health Care for All were NOT adopted:

Restore Affordable MassHealth Premiums: While the Senate plan makes CMSP premiums more affordable, some 17,000 disabled and families on MassHealth below 150% of the poverty line still must pay premiums first imposed 2 years ago. An amendment introduced by Senator McGee (#403) would eliminate premiums for these people. The amendment was not adopted.

Continue Coverage for Former Foster Youth: Some 600 foster youth each year lose MassHealth coverage on their 19th birthday. Despite a federal policy encouraging states to continue their coverage, in Massachusetts these vulnerable youth have no affordable health care options. Sen. McGee's amendment (#402) would continue their coverage through age 20. The amendment was not adopted.

Provide Gap Drug Coverage for MassHealth Recipients Switching to Medicare Part D: On January 1, 2006 all Medicaid recipients who are also eligible for Medicare (dual eligibles) will be required to use a Medicare prescription drug plan for their prescription drug coverage. This will undoubtedly be confusing for beneficiaries. Anticipating a difficult transition, states can supply dual eligibles with early refills, or up to a 90 day supply of medications, in the weeks leading up to January 1, 2006, and receive the regular share of federal reimbursement for this expense. Sen. Montigny's amendment (#484) requires MassHealth to make these extended and early refills available. The amendment was not adopted.

- Adapted from: http://www.hcfama.org/budget , and e-mail from Health Care For All, May 23, 2005 2:39 AM “ Senate Budget: Good News”

05/2005