State senators may propose alternative ideas as they weigh reforms recommended by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker to bring MassHealth costs under control, Senate President Stan Rosenberg said Tuesday.
During an interview on WGBH, Rosenberg said lawmakers did not have enough time to digest the reforms Baker put before the Legislature in June, as a conference committee was trying to nail down a final budget.
“It’s a huge proposal and it should get reasonable due process,” said Rosenberg.
Asked about Baker’s proposal aimed at steering low-income workers off MassHealth if they can access employer-sponsored plans, Rosenberg said that idea is consistent with the state’s 2006 health care reform law but Massachusetts lost the ability to force that arrangement under the federal Affordable Care Act.
Senators have been working with the Milbank Foundation on health care reforms. “We may have a few ideas we want to throw on the table,” Rosenberg said.
Baker on Monday called on the Legislature to approve by mid-September a $350 million package of new employer healthcare assessments and MassHealth reforms required to balance the annual state budget.
