Mass Revisions

Draft regulations issued today to exempt high deductible health plans from minimum coverage requirements would gut the quality and affordability promises of Massachusetts' health insurance mandate. Under the regulations, the purchase of high deductible health plans (HDHPs) would satisfy the
individual mandate without meeting minimum creditable coverage (MCC) rules
that limit consumer cost, provide coverage of preventive care and require
inclusion of prescription drugs.

"We can only imagine that the Board is considering an HDHP exemption in
response to criticism that health plans recently approved by the Connector
are still unaffordable for many," wrote Carmen Balber, consumer advocate
with the nonprofit, nonpartisan Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights
(FTCR), in a letter to the board implementing the Massachusetts law.

More cuts?

Say it ain't so!