House bid for MassHealth controls fails, employer assessment proceeds
House Democrats on Tuesday rejected a proposal designed to limit cost growth in MassHealth and place the state's largest program under the oversight of a control board.
The proposal, made by Rep. James Lyons. R-Andover, was rejected on a series of voice votes. Lyons tried to force a roll call but his colleagues, including some Republicans, did not support that attempt.
Slow-growing tax revenues, combined with rising enrollment and costs associated with a program that now serves nearly 2 million residents, are placing enormous pressure on the rest of the state budget.
The $40 billion House budget, which passed Tuesday night, also authorizes Gov. Charlie Baker to move ahead with an assessment on certain employers to generate revenue to keep pace with rising MassHealth costs.
"It is remarkable, 40 percent of the state budget and we're trying to come up with a solution and yet we cannot even get a roll call. That is simply amazing. This budget has blown up in the last six years and we can't even get a roll call to discuss one of the most important parts," Lyons said after his final attempt to secure a recorded vote failed.
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