Municipal Health Insurance Action Center

The Municipal Health Insurance Action Center provides comprehensive information about other options that municipalities have in grappling with spiraling health insurance costs. Information includes:

• Enrolling elgible retirees in Medicare
• Spreadsheets showing contribution ratios for communities across Massachusetts
• Think-tank reports and recommendations on municipal health insurance
• Information about GIC rates and plans

Group Insurance Commission (GIC): A Local Option Signed into Law

On July 25, 2007, Governor Deval Patrick signed Chapter 67 of the Acts of 2007, a new law that will give cities and towns the opportunity to join the Group Insurance Commission (GIC), which provides health insurance and other benefits for 275,000 state employees and other groups. That law was based on the legislation developed by the Municipal Health Insurance Working Group.

• GIC Municipal Health Insurance Option: Information Brochure for Cities and Towns

MAPC Assistance Available

MAPC is playing a lead role in trying to find creative ways to deal with the crisis in municipal health insurance costs. Our staff members facilitated the work of the Municipal Health Insurance Working Group, which brought together stakeholders from public employee unions, retiree organizations and municipal management to find common ground for reform. John Hamill of Sovereign Bank served as Chairman of the Working Group.

As communities consider whether joining the GIC makes sense for them, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is available to provide assistance in organizing and facilitating conversations with union members and other critical participants, identifying benefits and barriers to making the switch, providing additional staff support, and more. This Municipal Health Insurance Action Center website will serve as the clearinghouse for information related to the new law.

Want to Keep in the Loop?

Contact Jennifer Garcia at 617-451-2770, ext. 2046 or at jgarcia@mapc.org with any questions and also to sign up for regular alerts when new information becomes available.