PITTSFIELD - Local lawmakers' claims that Western Massachusetts was being ignored in the state's efforts to make sure citizens know their health plan options is bringing the head of the enrollment efforts to Pittsfield.
Jon Kingsdale, executive director of the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority, will attend two information sessions on Saturday, Dec. 8.
The first "Connect to Health" session will be held from 10 to noon at the Berkshire Athenaeum for Berkshire residents. The second will be held at Greenfield Community College from 2 to 4. These are the only sessions being offered in state's three farthest west counties before the Dec. 31 deadline for enrollment.
"I'm happy and pleased that this opportunity is being offered for residents to get their questions answered," said state Rep. Denis E. Guyer, D-Dalton, on Wednesday.
The deadline for having insurance under the state's landmark health care legislation is Jan. 1. Those who don't have an insurance plan independently or through an employer by that date will lose their $219 personal state tax exemption. After that, the penalties begin piling on.
Guyer and most of the Berkshire delegation and other Western Mass. lawmakers had expressed frustration with the Connector Authority, which is overseeing enrollment in the programs, last month, saying the panel was ignoring outreach efforts in the western end of the state.
Some $3.5 million was appropriated in this year's budget by the Legislature for outreach efforts, such as advertising and Connect to Health information sessions - none of which had occurred in Berkshire, Franklin or Hampshire counties. The closest information session to date has been held in Chicopee.
The lawmakers had sent a letter to Kingsdale asking that more attention be paid to the the three counties, especially since many of their rural towns had limited or no access to the authority's Web-based enrollment and information.
Within days of the lawmakers letter being made public, the Connector Authority announced the information sessions for Pittsfield and Greenfield. The sessions are being sponsored by local lawmakers, including Reps. Christopher N. Speranzo, D-Pittsfield, and William "Smitty" Pignatelli, D-Lenox, and the authority.
"We receive many calls regarding the new health care requirements, not only from individuals, but also from small-business owners who want to understand how these new requirements will affect their daily operations. We thought it would be helpful to have those questions addressed," said state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, in a statement. "This will event will be a great opportunity for anyone seeking information or coverage."
Kingsdale will conduct small-business seminars for local businesses interested in learning more about their responsibilities as employers. Local enrollment experts from Advocacy for Access and Ecu-Health Care will also be on hand.
All Massachusetts adults are now required to have health insurance. According to Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray's office, some 300,000 people have enrolled in the mandated plans so far.
Approximately 293,000 people have enrolled in health insurance during the past year, of which roughly 160,000 have enrolled in Commonwealth Care, the subsidized health insurance program offered through the Connector Authority; an additional 70,000 residents have signed up for MassHealth, the state's Medicaid program. In addition, 63,000 have enrolled in private insurance either through the Health Connector or private carriers.
Beginning next year, uninsured residents will be charged half the cost of a year's health insurance. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, an individual pays an average of about $4,000 a year and a family, $11,000.
The state had set a deadline of Nov. 15 to enroll, giving time for insurance carriers to process paperwork in time for the Dec. 31 deadline. However, Murray and State House leaders announced on Wednesday that the enrollment deadline would be extended to the end of the year so residents can avoid the initial $219 penalty.
Anyone who submits an application for MassHealth by Dec. 31 and who is eligible for benefits will be enrolled as of that date and will not be subject to the tax penalty. Massachusetts-based private insurance carriers will continue to enroll people of all ages during the month so their enrollment, also, will be effective no later than Dec. 31. Consumers should check with the individual carriers to determine when their specific deadlines apply.
Guyer noted that the Legislature has already extended the deadline for the health insurance law, which was supposed to take effect last January.
"They've extended the deadline once already. So I don't think they're going to do it again," he said, adding that he strongly encouraged residents and employers to attend the event.
Information and enrollment material is available at www.MAhealthconnector.org or by calling the Health Connector's customer service center weekdays at 1-877-MA-ENROLL.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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