Promoting consumers' perspectives and priorities in implementation of the Affordable Care Act in Massachusetts

This grant supports Health Care For All (HCFA) to represent the consumer perspective and the perspective of Massachusetts' most vulnerable residents in policy discussions regarding implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the state. ACA, which adopted major elements of Massachusetts' approach to health reform, will provide significant benefits to the state. However, certain elements in the new federal law could be implemented in ways that would be a step backward, particularly for some lower- and middle-income Massachusetts residents. Some areas of potential concern include federal affordability standards that differ substantially from current Massachusetts standards; federal tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies that are less generous than subsidies under Commonwealth Care, the Massachusetts health reform law enacted in 2006; possible implementation of the Basic Health Plan option; and federal exclusion of employer-responsibility requirements for employers with fewer than 50 employees. Deliverables will include policy analyses that identify areas of conflict and opportunity between state and federal health reform laws; research on the impact and feasibility of various ACA implementation options for Massachusetts; and ACA-related policy proposals and education materials that reflect the perspectives and priorities of consumers in Massachusetts. HCFA will not use Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funds for lobbying.

Grant Details

Amount Awarded $150,000.00

Awarded on: 4/23/2012

Time frame: 5/1/2012 - 4/14/2013

Grant Number: 69978