Testimony urges committee to pass Medicare buy‑in for non‑Medicare‑eligible state retirees

Representative Hendricks told the Joint Committee on Public Service she strongly supports House Bill 2874, “an act relative to the Medicare buy in program,” which would require the Commonwealth’s Group Insurance Commission to implement a Medicare buy‑in for certain state retirees by July 2026.

The bill would require the Group Insurance Commission to pay the full cost of Medicare Part A premiums and any late‑enrollment penalties for retirees age 65 and older who are not otherwise Medicare‑eligible. “I’m here to express my support and strong support for H 2,874, an act relative to the Medicare buy in program,” Representative Hendricks said. She explained the proposal aims to reduce the fiscal burden on state and local governments that currently provide non‑Medicare coverage to retirees who did not contribute to Social Security during their careers.

The measure focuses on Part A (hospital insurance). As Hendricks noted during testimony, “Medicare Part A deals with hospital insurance, hospital stays, some home health services, while Part B … deals with outpatient services, doctor visits, and some medical equipment.” The bill does not require paying Part B premiums.

Retiree Don Buckley spoke in support and described his personal situation. Buckley said he retired July 1, 2015, after more than 38 years with the Department of Public Health and told the committee that many similarly situated retirees are “ineligible, because the Commonwealth failed to pay into the federal program.” Buckley testified that about “10,000 plus additional non Medicare eligible state retirees” would benefit and argued that shifting eligible retirees onto Medicare would lower costs for employers and taxpayers.

Buckley also cited broader data from his prepared remarks noting national Medicare enrollment figures and called for timely action: “Please consider this to be the time to pass the bill before possible changes in Medicare may make it impossible to enroll us.” He said he submitted written testimony to the committee.

Committee staff announced that written testimony will be accepted through June 18 and the hearing was conducted as a hybrid, livestreamed proceeding. No vote or formal committee action on H.2874 occurred during the hearing; the committee adjourned by voice vote at the end of the session.

Next steps will depend on committee scheduling and any requested reports or amendments; the bill would require implementing regulations and administrative action by the Group Insurance Commission if enacted.