Fact Sheet

An act relative to access to health insurance

for human service providers and their employees
Sponsored by: Representative Kay Khan

Purpose of bill: To allow providers to access the state’s Group Insurance Commission
(GIC) in an effort to increase access to health insurance products and to control
insurance costs. Due to GIC’s large buying power, it may potentially be more
affordable than what a provider can obtain for similar products.

Providers’ Council research indicates:

• While insurance plans are offered by 98% of Council members, only 4 of 10
employees elect to be covered. This is primarily due to expense.
• Increasing health care costs are a “budget buster” in a period of diminished
resources and level funding.
• A major workforce that provides essential services on behalf of the
Commonwealth is not able to adequately care for itself.

This Act reads in its entirety: Subsection (b) of Section 2 of chapter 32A as most recently
amended by chapter 130 of the acts of 2008 is hereby amended by adding after the
words “of Suffolk county,” the following: persons who are employed by private human
service providers that deliver human and social services under contracts with
departments within the executive office of health and human services and the executive
office of elder affairs.

What does this mean?

Human service providers will have access to the multiple plans and rates of the
Commonwealth’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC). Due to the GIC’s large purchasing
power, its pricing may be more favorable than what a provider can obtain for similar
products. These plans will be similar to those offered to municipalities

Will there be a special plan for provider employees?

The administrative program for this Act is not yet determined. For an example of
current rates and plans go to: http://www.mass.gov/gic/bdg/bdgrates.htm. The Council
intends to develop a cost effective plan to administer a program with the GIC.

For more information: Contact Bill Yelenak at

byelenak@providers.org or call 617.428.3637 x122
January 2011