Section 16N: Commission to study feasibility of reducing or eliminating contributions to Uncompensated Care Trust Fund
Section 16N. There shall be a special commission to study the feasibility of reducing or eliminating the contribution made by contributing employers to the Uncompensated Care Trust Fund or any successor fund. The commission shall consist of: the secretary of health and human services or his designee, who shall serve as chair; the executive director of the center for health information and analysis or his designee; the commissioner of insurance or his designee; 2 members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; 2 members appointed by the president of the senate; and 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the senate.
The study shall evaluate the amount of reimbursements provided from the uncompensated care pool, or any successor fund, for the medical care of the uninsured or underinsured patients in the commonwealth on the first day of each hospital fiscal year and compare it to the amount of reimbursements provided from the uncompensated care pool, or any successor fund, for the medical care of the uninsured or underinsured patients in the commonwealth on the first day of the preceding hospital fiscal year in order to determine whether a decrease or elimination of the contribution by contributing employers is possible based on the amount of reduction, if any, in the amount of reimbursements provided from the uncompensated care pool, or any successor fund, for the medical care of the uninsured or underinsured patients in the commonwealth during a hospital fiscal year.
The commission shall report annually to the senate president, minority leader of the senate, senate committee on ways and means, speaker of the house of representatives, minority leader of the house of representatives and the house committee on ways and means no later than the first day in December.