HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 788        FILED ON: 1/28/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2573

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Peter Capano

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to GIC composition and transparency.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 788        FILED ON: 1/28/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2573

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 2179 OF 2019-2020.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act relative to GIC composition and transparency.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 3, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 3. There shall be within the executive office for administration and finance, but not under its jurisdiction, a special unpaid commission to be known as the group insurance commission. The group insurance commission shall consist of: the secretary of administration and finance; the commissioner of insurance; and 13 members. 1 of whom shall be appointed by the president of the Retired State, County & Municipal Employees Association of Massachusetts, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the executive director  of AFSCME Council 93, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the president  of the Massachusetts State Employees Association, National Association of Government Employees, 1 of whom  shall be appointed by the president of Local 5000 SEIU/Trial Court or a designee, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the president of the Service Employees International Union, Local 509, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the president of the Massachusetts Organization of State Engineers and Scientists, 1 of whom shall be a management representative who shall be appointed from a list of 3 representatives nominated by the Massachusetts Municipal Association, 1 of whom shall be the president of the teachers' union with the greatest amount of active and retired members enrolled in commission health plans or a designee, and 5 of whom shall be appointed by the governor including at least 1 health economist and 2 private citizens with experience in the field of health care policy. In addition, upon the transfer of 45,000 subscribers from municipal governmental units to the group insurance commission pursuant to section 19 of chapter 32B, there shall be 1 additional management representative to be appointed by the governor from a list of 3 representatives who shall be nominated by the Massachusetts Municipal Association, and 1 additional labor representative of municipal public safety employees designated by the president of the Massachusetts chapter of the AFL/CIO.

Whenever an organization nominates a list of representatives for appointment by the governor under this section, the organization may nominate additional candidates if the governor declines to appoint any of those originally nominated. Not more than 55 per cent of the appointed members of the commission shall be members of the same political party. No member appointed by the governor shall be an insurance agent, broker, employee or officer of an insurance company. Upon the expiration of the term of office of an appointed member, that members successor shall be appointed in the same manner for a term of 3 years. The commission shall be provided with suitable offices and may, subject to appropriation, incur expenses and appoint an executive director who shall be the executive and administrative head of the commission and who shall not be subject to chapter 31. The commission may authorize the executive director to appoint such employees as may be necessary to administer this chapter. There shall be paid by the commonwealth to each appointive member of the commission the necessary expenses actually incurred in the discharge of their official duties.

The commission shall adopt such reasonable rules and regulations as may be necessary for the administration of this chapter and shall make an annual report to the governor and to the general court which shall include any modifications or amendments made to contracts executed under this chapter. GIC personnel will provide the Commissioners with all relevant information and materials enabling each commissioner to make an informed decision and vote on the recommendation. Relevant information shall include, but not be limited to, medical, behavioral health, and pharmacy management recommendations.  Such information will be provided to each commissioner at the meeting of the commissioners prior to the meeting at which the vote is scheduled, but in no event shall be less than 21 days.

The commission shall be required to hold at least 2 public hearings annually pursuant to sections 19 to 25, inclusive, of Chapter 30A of the General Laws prior to changing the requirements for co-payments, deductibles or other benefits; provided further, that notice of said public hearing and an agenda shall be posted at least five business days prior to the hearing. The public hearing requirement can be waived with a unanimous vote of the commission. The rules and regulations shall be in a form that enables employees to understand the benefits available from the insurance program, including the costs thereof.