Tuesday, 20 November 2007
Massachusetts State-Subsidized Health Plan May Face Funding Shortfall
By December 31, 2007, all Massachusetts residents are required to have health insurance coverage. If they can afford it, they have to buy a plan for themselves — if they cannot afford a plan on their own, the state will provide help.
Any resident who earns less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level can get state-subsidized coverage from the program, Commonwealth Care. The premiums are paid in full by the state for lowest earning residents.
This year health officials estimated around 136,000 would enroll in Commonwealth Care by June 30, 2008, reported the Boston Globe. But the enrollment in Commonwealth Care has been higher than anyone expected. Already, approximately 133,000 have signed up — and now the total enrollment by June 2008 could reach over 178,000.
That means the state may spend $147 million more than the $472 million budget for Commonwealth Care this fiscal year.
“It’s a good problem to have — people are getting insured and hopefully getting care. But any shortfall is a big deal,” said state Senator and co-chairman of the Health Care Financing Committee Richard T. Moore.
To solve the budget shortfall, lawmakers are considering shifting money in from funds originally intended to help hospitals pay for care for the uninsured. Some funds from the Health Care Safety Net Trust Fund can be transferred, along with money going to the Boston Medical Center and Cambridge Health Alliance.
State Legislature could also approve additional funding, if necessary.
The budget shortfall has yet to happen, but lawmakers and healthcare officials are considering their options anyway.
“It’s too early to make any departure from the health reform plan. We will follow the trends and adjust, if needed,” said Leslie Kirwan, chairperson of the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector.
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