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Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rep: If Arkansas can do this, so can Massachusetts
BOSTON (SHNS) – Rep. Kimberly Ferguson has been pushing to require health insurance companies to cover cognitive rehabilitation therapy for treatment of an acquired brain injury for at least a decade. Testifying on the issue before the Financial Services Committee on Tuesday, she tried a new approach: peer pressure. 'One last thing I'll leave you with: The state of Arkansas, in March, just passed a comprehensive [cognitive rehabilitation therapy] bill. And if Arkansas can do it, I'm absolutely positive Massachusetts will be doing it soon,' the Holden Republican said, drawing chuckles from the committee and attendees. The legislation Ferguson pitched (H 1151 / S 742) would extend Group Insurance Commission and commercial health insurance coverage for cognitive rehabilitation therapy to people with an acquired brain injury, which Ferguson said could range from a severe concussion to a traumatic brain injury sustained in a car crash. 'This bill is, now more than ever, critical to get passed so that we can require the coverage for CRT, cognitive rehab therapy, for these patients. And it also will help their families and caregivers as well,' Ferguson, who worked as a speech pathologist with people who had acquired brain injuries, said. 'And as we know, early intervention is key to get these skills back and help folks recover as best as they can.' Ferguson said expanding access to CRT in cases of acquired brain injury was one of the unanimously-supported recommendations of the state's Brain Injury Commission that dates back to at least fiscal year 2011. That group's 2021 report said the Center for Health Information and Analysis analyzed a previous version of Ferguson's bill and found that the impact on the typical member's monthly health insurance premium would be between 1 cent and 19 cents, or an average cost of 8 cents per month. The idea has cleared the Financial Services Committee in each of the last four sessions and has twice (the 2017-18 and 2021-22 sessions) been reported favorably out of the Health Care Financing Committee, according to a committee bill summary. But it has not been debated in either branch. It is likely in line for another favorable report from Financial Services — co-chair Sen. Paul Feeney sponsored the Senate version of the legislation and said Tuesday he's hopeful that 'we get enough momentum to get it over the finish line' this time around. Resistance has come from the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, whose leader voiced her opposition to the insurance mandate earlier this year, warning it would raise costs for consumers and small businesses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mass. Gov. Healey seeks $756 million for ‘time-sensitive deficiencies'
On the eve of a legislative hearing on her surtax surplus plan, Gov. Maura Healey submitted another spending bill for the Legislature's review, filing a $756 million supplemental budget she said would address 'time-sensitive deficiencies' in state government accounts. The proposal Healey filed Wednesday afternoon (HD 4540) includes $134.5 million for supplemental payments to safety-net hospitals, $60 million for direct care for older adults, $240 million for state employee health care costs through the Group Insurance Commission, and more. It would carry a net state cost of $544 million after federal reimbursements, she said. Healey's office pitched the $190 million the bill includes for a child care financial assistance program as a way to 'support Massachusetts residents at a time of rising costs.' Another $43 million would go toward the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program that offers aid to families facing potential eviction, which has faced increasing demand during a period of housing strain. The legislation additionally includes $15 million for grants and marketing related to the American Revolution 250th anniversary celebration, and $15.5 million for more secure electronic benefits transfer cards that Healey said would 'help combat food benefit theft.' 'This budget bill proposes targeted investments that improve quality of life in Massachusetts, such as ensuring access to health care, supporting families with child care costs, and making sure veterans get their benefits,' Healey said in a statement alongside the bill. 'We've also heard clearly from local officials and medical professionals across the state, especially in communities impacted by Steward Health Care's closures, that they need more support. That's why we're proposing significant funding for EMS providers that have faced extraordinary costs. Our administration remains committed to maintaining a responsible state budget that tangibly benefits the people of Massachusetts.' Other sections of the 25-page bill would ratify collective bargaining agreements with public employees, raise procurement thresholds under public construction laws, and allow Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency vehicles to use red and blue lights when responding to emergencies. The Legislature's Joint Committee on Ways and Means is partway through a series of hearings about Healey's $62 billion fiscal 2026 state budget, and the panel will meet Thursday to consider Healey's separate $1.3 billion proposal (H 55) to spend surplus surtax revenue. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
