August 01, 2006
HEALTH CARE

MTF Testifies in Support of Health Reform Regulation to Implement Employer Fair Share Contribution

"In recent testimony (August 8) before the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, MTF President Michael J. Widmer said that the proposed regulation issued by the Division fairly reflects the compromise agreement reached by the legislative leadership on the purpose of the fair share assessment under health care reform. Mr. Widmer testified that the clear intent of the agreement was to equalize the employer burden of paying for free care in the Commonwealth and was never meant to impose a mandate on employers to provide a minimum level of health coverage. "The agreement drew a bright line between companies who provide some health coverage, and thus already contribute to the costs of free care, and those companies who provide no coverage and would thereby be subject to the assessment," said Mr. Widmer, adding that the proposed regulation honors this agreement and should be adopted."