Group Insurance Commission funding ensures providers are paid for care delivered to state employees
(BOSTON—5/15/2025) The Massachusetts Senate today passed a $240 million supplemental budget that will direct funds to the Group Insurance Commission (GIC), the health insurance agency responsible for delivering coverage to state and local government employees. The funding ensures that health care providers will continue to be paid for services rendered to employees.
“Ensuring that the hundreds of thousands of public employees and their loved ones have access to health insurance is one of our most important responsibilities,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I’m proud to advance this legislation and grateful to Chair Rodrigues and the members of the Committee on Ways and Means for acting expeditiously.”
“I’m pleased the Senate has acted swiftly to pass the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s supplemental budget request, filed early last month. This prompt action by the Senate will allow GIC members’ full access to health care, prescription drugs, and all benefit coverage to remain intact,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, (D-Westport) Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
“The Group Insurance Commission is facing a challenge that is not unique to any insurer, as pharmaceutical usage is going up and the costs of drugs are rising at an unsustainable rate,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. “The Senate is actively working on measures to address this larger issue, as well as other cost drivers throughout the health care system, to relieve the pressure on insurers and the premiums that residents in the Commonwealth face. As we work towards the end goal of stabilizing health care costs, this supplemental funding for the GIC will ensure that our state employees stay covered and healthy.”
With over 280,000 subscribers and 460,000 members, the GIC administers health insurance and other benefits to the Commonwealth’s employees and retirees, as well as their dependents and survivors. The GIC also provides coverage to Housing and Redevelopment Authorities’ personnel, retired municipal employees and teachers in certain governmental units, and participating municipalities.
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