Lawmakers to hear Gov. Baker’s health care bill Tuesday

BOSTON — Massachusetts legislators are holding a public hearing at 11 a.m. on Gov. Charlie Baker’s health care overhaul bill on Tuesday morning at the Statehouse

Baker says that his healthcare bill would ban surprise, hidden costs at emergency rooms and penalize drug companies for raising prescription medications by more than 2% over inflation from year to year. It will also help low-income patients by requiring walk-in clinics to treat people on Medicaid and it will help return focus to preventative care and the challenges of an aging population.

“At its most fundamental level, our proposal is about nudging caregivers and health plans to put more resources into time, on primary care and behavioral health services, while limiting the overall growth and health care spending," Baker said. “Massachusetts has always led the nation on health care. And on this one, we should do it again.”

When he unveiled it in October he said the legislation would “address the challenges associated with supporting an aging population, individuals with a chronic illness, or those in need of behavioral health services."

The bill would outlaw “surprise” bills for ER care and rein in certain hospital fees. An example being of someone who goes to an ER for treatment in their insurance plan’s network only to get a separate bill down the road if, say, the radiologist who read a report was out of network. Therefore, that’s more expensive for the patient.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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