{
  "id": "RS22447",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "RS22447",
  "active": false,
  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 315275,
      "date": "2006-05-26",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-07T19:01:54.852029",
      "title": "The Massachusetts Health Reform Plan: A Brief Overview",
      "summary": "In April 2006, Massachusetts passed legislation that aims to achieve near-universal health\ninsurance\ncoverage by expanding Medicaid and State Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)\neligibility,\nproviding premium subsidies for certain individuals, and mandating the purchase of insurance for\nthose who can afford it. To make private health insurance plans more affordable and accessible, it\nmodifies state insurance laws (e.g., it merges the state\u2019s non-group and small group markets)\nand\ncreates a public entity called the Connector to serve as a clearinghouse for the purchase of insurance\nby small employers and individuals who are not offered subsidized insurance by a large employer.\n To pay for the legislation, the state will redirect some existing Medicaid funds that are used to\nreimburse health care providers (primarily hospitals) for treating uninsured and other patients who\ngenerate uncompensated care costs. It will also obtain additional federal Medicaid and SCHIP\ndollars using new state general fund appropriations and revenues from employers that do not offer\nhealth insurance. Another significant source of funding, while not necessarily flowing through state\ncoffers, is the mandate that requires individuals to purchase insurance or face financial penalties. \nOver time, the state expects to redirect additional funds from uncompensated care reimbursement\nto other uses (e.g., premium subsidies) as its uninsured rate declines. However, the legislation\ncontinues to provide significant support for hospitals and other providers.\n This report highlights major elements of the Massachusetts legislation and raises issues that\nCongress and other observers may consider as details of the state\u2019s health reform plan are\nworked\nout during implementation. It will not be updated.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": false,
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      ],
      "topics": []
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Appropriations"
  ]
}