 |
 |
|
Changes seen to state health insurance law
By Alice Dembner July 19, 2007...The state Legislature will probably make a round of changes in the one-year-old law mandating near universal health insurance, but not before late fall, according to Senator Richard T. Moore, co-chairman of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. The committee heard testimony yesterday from about two dozen advocates, medical providers, patients, and self-employed individuals pressing for changes in controversial aspects of the law, such as how much employers should contribute to health insurance and the most individuals should have to pay for coverage. More than 75 senators and representatives have signed on as sponsors of a bill to modify the law, called S661 and H1166. During testimony, Moore said he endorsed a proposal to require that businesses pay at least 50 percent of the premiums for employees' health insurance if they want to avoid a penalty of up to $295 per employee. Currently, the requirement is 33 percent, set by the administration of former governor Mitt Romney. Two weeks ago, Moore asked the administration of Governor Deval Patrick to make the change. Read more at bostonglobe.com |