Chapter 58 required the Division of Insurance to create a “health care access bureau” to oversee the small group and individual health insurance market (and premiums too, we hope!) and affordable health plans, including YAPs, and to educate consumers about health insurance coverage and access to affordable products. HCFA has been asking for months when the bureau would be up and running. Last we heard, the hiring process was just getting underway (a year and a half after the passage of the law).
Looks like we’re not the only ones with concerns. Health Care Financing Chairwoman Patricia Walrath questioned the delays in today’s Lowell Sun. Thank you for bringing attention to this important issue!
Walrath: State not acting on new law
By Hillary Chabot, hchabot@lowellsun.com
BOSTON — One of the chief authors of the state’s historic health-insurance reform is scolding Gov. Deval Patrick’s administration for dragging its feet on implementing parts of the law. The Division of Insurance, currently overseen by Insurance Commissioner Nonnie Burnes, did not fully staff a bureau meant to educate the public about the cost of the broad legislation, said Rep. Patricia Walrath.“We’re waiting for them to do something,” said the Stow Democrat. “Some of the duties we have given them, the (Health Insurance) Connector has kind of taken over because there was a vacuum. We’re disappointed they haven’t hired the people we more or less mandated them to hire.” The bill, signed into law in April 2006, requires all state residents to have health insurance by Dec. 31. They face a $219 charge on their state tax returns next year if they haven’t signed up, and the penalties will increase the year after that.
The law established a health-care access bureau under the Division of Insurance. The bureau was to have a deputy commissioner, a finance expert, an actuary and a research analyst to oversee health insurance for small groups and individuals. Lawmakers have earmarked $1 million for the bureau since the law passed so they could hire staff and get information to people about accessing affordable health insurance. The Division of Insurance appointed Kevin Beagan, also the director of the state rating bureau, as deputy commissioner. The law requires staff members to devote full time their duties to the office, even though Beagan holds two positions.
Kim Haberlin, spokeswoman for the Insurance Commission, said the department will appoint an actuary and a research analyst within the next week. A number of issues prevented them from staffing the bureau sooner, from a hiring freeze to difficulty luring actuaries to the public sector, Haberlin said. The bureau in the meantime contracted outside actuaries, who conducted studies on the availability of health savings accounts, rates in the small-group market, plans chosen by large employers and relative costs, and an analysis of major factors behind health-care cost increases, Haberlin said. The bureau also sent out consumer material to senior centers, colleges, public libraries and employers regarding public health-care reform earlier this year, and it has more material on the way.
“The implementation of health-care reform is a significant undertaking and the Division of Insurance is pleased that its Health Care Access Unit is making progress on a number of fronts, including conducting consumer and employer outreach and education and completing several pertinent studies examining health-care availability and costs in the state,” said Haberlin. …
