Government
Insurer offers coverage to Massachusetts immigrants
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Sept. 7, 2009
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick announced a deal Aug. 31 to restore state-sponsored health insurance coverage for about 31,000 legal immigrants.
The Massachusetts Legislature had cut the coverage -- offered as part of the state's landmark 2006 universal care reforms -- beginning Oct. 1, 2009, to reduce the state's anticipated budget deficit by $130 million. But Patrick vetoed the cuts on June 29 and had been searching for a compromise solution.
Under the agreement with CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts, the state will restore $40 million in funding, and the health plan will offer coverage that includes hospital and prescription drug benefits, but not the dental, vision or hospice care included in standard state-sponsored coverage. CeltiCare spokesman Brian Delaney said the deal presents financial challenges, but "our plan is to break even, absolutely."
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/09/07/gvbf0907.htm.
