Massachusetts Restores Limited Health Coverage for Legal Immigrants - September 8, 2009

As a result of $130 million in cuts enacted by the Massachusetts legislature in July, more than 30,000 legal immigrants in Massachusetts lost subsidized health coverage under the Massachusetts Commonwealth Care plan on August 31. On September 1, however, Governor Deval Patrick announced that the state would restore $40 million in benefits for this population. Under the new plan, effective December 1, legal immigrants will receive coverage for routine doctor visits and hospital treatment, but will no longer be eligible for dental, vision, hospice, or skilled nursing services. They will also pay higher copayments for prescription drugs and certain services. Coverage under the new plan will be limited to those legal immigrants who were enrolled in Commonwealth Care.