An Act providing affordable care through out-of-pocket assistance

This bill creates a new cost-sharing assistance program in Massachusetts to help people with low incomes pay for their health insurance deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance. It specifically targets individuals earning up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level who are already enrolled in employer-sponsored health plans. Under the program, eligible applicants would receive supplemental coverage that fills the gap between the costs of their current employer plan and a comparable plan available through the state health insurance connector. The legislation also requires the state health insurance connector authority to evaluate the program's impact on healthcare access and equity, with a final report due by December 1, 2029. Finally, the program is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026.