| By Mr. McGee, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 91) of Thomas M. McGee, Bruce E. Tarr, Edward M. Augustus, Mark C. Montigny and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to insuring low-income children's access to basic health care. Children and Families |
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. The last sentence of section 9 of chapter 118E of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the word “levels.” and inserting in place thereof the words levels, provided, that no premiums shall be imposed on households with children whose financial eligibility as determined by the division is below 150 per cent of the federal poverty level.
SECTION 2. Section 10F of chapter 118E of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out subsection (d) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-
(d) The cost of the program shall be funded in part by premiums contributed by enrollees according to the following eligibility categories: enrollees in households ineligible for medical benefits pursuant to this chapter earning less than 200 per cent of the federal poverty level shall not be responsible for contributing to program premium costs; enrollees in households earning between 200 per cent and 400 per cent of the federal poverty level, inclusive, shall contribute not less than 20 per cent and not more than 30 per cent of the monthly premium cost according to a sliding scale established by the division; provided, that additional contributions shall not be required for any enrollee after the third enrollee in such a household; and enrollees in households earning more than 400 per cent of the federal poverty level shall pay no more than the full premium cost of said program. Household earnings may be defined on the basis of gross earnings, or on an adjusted basis according to criteria deemed appropriate by the division. The division shall base premium costs on an actuarially sound methodology. Premiums contributed by enrollees shall be deposited in the Children's and Seniors' Health Care Assistance Fund, established by section 2FF of chapter 29 and may be used for the program subject to appropriation.