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Insurance forum emphasizes law
By Bea O'Quinn Dewberry January 9, 2007...State Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, chairman of the Joint Committee on Health Care and Finance, spoke at a forum yesterday designed to clarify the universal health-care law and its impact on businesses. Sponsored by TD Banknorth and Fallon Community Health Plan, the forum drew representatives from at least 60 area businesses to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Moore, a chief architect of the legislation passed in April, said the law mandates that everyone in Massachusetts be insured by July 1. Individuals will be required to indicate whether they have health insurance when filing their 2007 taxes. Moore stressed that the plan needs the cooperation of the business community to ensure that everyone secures health insurance coverage. "We're asking all employers to deduct for health insurance," Moore said. "Those who don't provide a fair share amount of insurance to employees will be asked to contribute to the care of the uninsured." Businesses with more than 11 employees who fail to offer insurance will be assessed $295 per employee, and by 2008, individuals deemed able to afford it who do not get insurance on their own or through the state's connector service could be fined as much as $1,500 a year if they refuse coverage, Moore said. Other key points include creating the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector, which will offer affordable plans to businesses with fewer than 50 employees, uninsured individuals and a plan for people age 19-26; and an extension of the health insurance benefits for dependents under age 26 by two years. Elizabeth Helenius, director of product development at Fallon, addressed questions from employers. Jacqueline G. McGregor, director of human resources at Early Childhood Centers of Greater Springfield Inc., said she supports the concept of health care for all, but still has questions regarding its impact on nonprofit agencies and businesses with seasonal or part-time employees. McGregor said her employer pays 80 percent of health care costs for employees who work 30 or more hours weekly, but did not provide coverage to part-time workers. "Who's going to determine who is responsible for their insurance coverage, especially if they have more than one job?" McGregor said. Moore stressed that the law, albeit enacted, is still a work in progress. "A plan of this magnitude is not carved in stone," he said. "This is one we will work on for a few years to make sure it's affordable and it's working." |