川普政府取消聯邦醫保補助 麻州長增撥2.5億美元助居民度過保費大漲難關

麻州州長Maura Healey強調州政府極力保護人民。（周菊子攝）

       （Boston Orange周菊子波士頓綜合報導）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）1月8日宣佈，州政府將從「聯邦醫療信託基金（Commonwealth Care Trust Fund）」增撥2.5億美元，總計用6億美元來支持「麻州醫療連繫者（Massachusetts Health Connector）」為大約27萬年收入在聯邦貧窮線400%以下者，維持保費不變或微漲。

麻州州長Maura Healey邀多名政要出席，以強調醫療健保費率大漲事件中大。（周菊子攝）

            奚莉州長在副州長Kim Driscoll，麻州參議會議長Karen Spika，以及麻州醫療聯繫者行政主任Audry Morse Gasteier等人陪伴中，召開記者會，稱這是對抗川普政府終止「聯邦加強型保費稅收抵免優惠（EPTC）」的全美最強有力行動。

麻州參議會議長Karen Spika笑說他們這天出席，有著同一聲音，如果華府
也這樣，該有多好。（周菊子攝）

            麻州醫療聯繫者行政主任Audry Morse Gasteier說明，麻州共有大約33.7萬人受到這醫保補助終止的影響，保費大漲，其中約有一萬人已經因為無力繳納保費，主動放棄醫療保險。

            奚莉州長抨擊川普政府的做法不人道，不負責人，麻州能夠做的有限，但在參眾議會合作下，麻州政府已安排從「聯邦醫療信託基金（Commonwealth Care Trust Fund）」增撥2.5億美元，為期一年的來保護受影響的大部分人。

麻州醫療聯繫者行政主任Audry Morse Gasteier說明聯邦政府刪減補助後，
麻州已有1萬人主動放棄醫療保險。（周菊子攝）

            在「可負擔醫療保險法（ACA)」的「聯邦加強型保費稅收抵免優惠（EPTC）」辦法下，麻州以往每年得到大約6.5億美元的聯邦政府補助，加上州政府為確保居民都得到醫療保險編列的大約3億美元，讓麻州得以成為全美醫保覆蓋率最高的州，將近97%的居民享有醫保。如今聯邦政府撤銷補助，就算麻州政府增撥2.5億元，仍不足以彌補損失的聯邦補助數額。在麻州政府選擇保護最大多數人的情況下，目前有大約6.4萬人面對斷保，以及保費非常難以負擔情況。

            Audry Morse Gasteier說明，大約有27萬年收入在聯邦貧窮線400%以下，也就是個人$62,600，或4口之家$128,600，經由該機構購買醫療保險的麻州居民，在麻州政府撥款資助後，繳交的保費將維持不變，或微幅上漲。

            例如一對約45歲，有2名小孩的秋河鎮（Fall River）夫婦，年收入$75,000，每月支付約$166元保費。川普總統的新政策從今年1月1日開始實施後，他們的同樣醫療保險計劃，保費將上漲成每月$452元。然而現在由於麻州州長奚莉的動用2.5億元「麻州醫療信託基金」來填補麻州失去的聯邦醫療補助款，這對夫婦的保費將僅漲至每月$206元。

            川普政府在2025年7月簽署OBBBA（一大美麗）法案，不再延長「可負擔醫療保險法（ACA）」中「聯邦加強型保費稅收抵免優惠（EPTC）」後，全美大約2200萬仰賴這優惠以獲取可負擔醫療保險的居民，面對保費大漲窘境，間接引發美國歷史上最長，高達43天的聯邦政府停擺期。民主黨雖然試圖重啟補助，但最終預算案未包括醫療健保補助。

            2025年12月下旬，許多麻州居民收到數額翻倍的醫療健保帳單時大為震驚。麻州醫療聯繫者行政主任Audry Morse Gasteier透露，麻州共有約10,000人因為保費高漲額度之高，讓人無法負擔而主動棄保的，

            在聯邦政府的「聯邦加強型保費稅收抵免優惠（EPTC）」於2025年12月31日正式終止後，麻州約有33萬7千人面對漲了價的醫療保費帳單。其中年收入在聯邦貧窮線400%以下約27萬人，由於麻州政府已經介入，給予補助，每月保費帳單只漲了大約$20到$60。

家庭年收入在聯邦貧窮線400%到500%之間的大約2萬7千人，因為直接失去聯邦政府補助，又不在州政府的補助範圍之內，醫療健保費直接翻倍，每月約需多繳$400到$800元。

另外一批家庭年收入在聯邦平窮線100%以下（約1萬5000元），又因為聯邦政府政策改變，失去領取保費稅務抵免額預付款（APTC）的大約3萬多人，更是收到必須繳交全額保費，或就此斷保的通知。

            在麻州，以及其他各州面對類似狀況的美國民眾，對醫療健保費用的巨幅帳額大漲憤怒，紛紛向聯邦及州議員們施壓。聯邦政府傳出17名共和黨眾議員倒戈，通過了延長補助3年提案，正送交聯邦參議院討論。

            奚莉州長說明，麻州醫療聯繫者從2月1日起生效的新年度醫療保險計劃，1月23日截止登記。民眾可上麻州醫療聯繫者網站註冊(mahealthconnector.org/navigators)，或於週一至週五的早上8點至6點，撥打客戶服務電話1-877-MA-ENROLL。

Governor Healey Details Strongest Plan in the Country to Protect Against President Trump’s ACA Cost Hikes 

Massachusetts investing $600 million – the most in the country – to limit health care premium increases after President Trump and Congressional Republicans refused to extend ACA credits
 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today detailed the strongest plan in the country to protect Massachusetts residents from health care cost increases after President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans refused to extend Federal Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (EPTC) under the Affordable Care Act. 22 million Americans, including hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents who get their health insurance through the Massachusetts Health Connector, have relied on these credits to afford their health insurance.  

“Massachusetts families cannot afford President Trump's drastic increases to their health insurance premiums. While President Trump continues to increase health care costs, we are taking the strongest action in the nation to address them and keep costs as low as possible for families,” said Governor Healey. “Despite this increased state investment, far too many people will still see their premiums increase because of the White House. President Trump and Congressional Republicans need to do their jobs and extend these federal credits so that people can afford the health insurance that they need. While Washington raises costs, we are working hard to lower them – it's why we capped health care deductibles and co-pays for the first time, as well as the cost of insulin and inhalers. We will continue to do all we can to make health care more affordable in this state.” 

“Thanks to Governor Healey’s continued commitment to our flagship ConnectorCare program, we’re fortunate to be able to continue to provide Massachusetts residents affordable premiums with low cost sharing through the Health Connector, even as the federal government has failed to extend the enhanced Premium Tax Credits,” said Health Connector Executive Director Audrey Morse Gasteier. “This continued commitment means hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents can continue to afford coverage that’s there for them when they need it, keeping them healthy and financially secure. This commitment reinforces Massachusetts’s standing as the state with the most significant investment in affordable coverage through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace.” 

To limit the impact of these increases on middle class Massachusetts families, the state will increase investment in the ConnectorCare program by $250 million, for a total of $600 million. This is the largest state investment in the country and will mean that approximately 270,000 customers enrolled in ConnectorCare and making below 400 percent of the federal poverty level ($62,600 for an individual or $128,600 for a family of four) will see little to no premium increases because of the expiring federal credits, while also lowering other out-of-pocket costs like co-pays and deductibles. The funding comes from the Commonwealth Care Trust Fund. 

For example, a 45-year-old couple with two kids making $75,000 in Fall River previously paid $166 per month for the lowest cost coverage. Because of President Trump, this year they would have had to pay more than double for the same plan – $452 per month. However, because of Governor Healey’s investment, they will pay $206 per month, saving them nearly $3,000 over the year. 

"Massachusetts is a leader in expanding access to healthcare for all residents because we believe that the role of government is to help make life more manageable and more affordable for our residents,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “While the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans have lost sight of that principle, Massachusetts has remained steadfast in our commitment to the people we serve. That’s why I’m proud of the partnership this announcement represents—and proud that in Massachusetts, we always have our residents’ backs.” 

“The ACA tax credits made it possible for millions of Americans, including thousands of residents in Massachusetts, to afford health insurance,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “By ending these vital tax credits, President Trump and Congressional Republicans are making it abundantly clear that they don’t care if millions of vulnerable Americans lose coverage. That’s why Massachusetts is once again stepping up to protect our residents. I want to thank the Healey-Driscoll Administration for taking action to ensure that every Massachusetts resident will continue to have access to quality, affordable health care.” 

“Thank you, Governor Healey, for your leadership to protect health insurance coverage. The Commonwealth does not watch when harm is being done, we act,” said Representative John Lawn (D-Watertown), House Chair of Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. “As the federal government shirks their responsibilities, we are stepping up to lower costs, protect access to care, and ensure that no resident is forced to choose between their health care or their basic needs.” 

Additionally, a single 39-year-old making $40,000 in Holyoke previously paid $131 per month for the lowest cost coverage. They would have had to pay $286 per month for the same plan this year because of President Trump, but instead they will pay $152 per month because of Governor Healey’s investment, saving them $1,600 over the year. 

Governor Healey has directed the Health Connector to sustain this increased investment, while also exploring whether there are other populations that can be brought into the reach of ConnectorCare’s help to lower health care costs for more people. Also, at the direction of Governor Healey, the Health Connector and MassHealth have been leading efforts to explore additional ways to prevent health coverage losses in Massachusetts despite the cuts and rollbacks on health care coming from D.C. 

Governor Healey is also reminding Massachusetts residents that they can still sign up for health insurance coverage or switch their plan through the Health Connector until January 23 for coverage starting on February 1. The Health Connector’s new web portal makes it easier for residents to access cost information about health coverage options. It features a ‘Get an Estimate’ tool that makes it easy for people to see what plans and premiums may be available to them. The tool is anonymous, takes just a few minutes to complete and gives users a fast snapshot of available options, while providing flexibility to adjust information and see other potential results.  

People who need help finding their most affordable coverage option can find free, in-person assistance from a Navigator by searching for local help on the Health Connector website (mahealthconnector.org/navigators), and can also call Health Connector Customer Service at 1-877-MA-ENROLL Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

Governor Healey has taken a number of steps to make health care more affordable in Massachusetts, including becoming the first Governor to cap co-pays and deductibles, and she signed legislation capping prescription drug costs, including for insulin, at $25.