Pushback Against GIC Healthcare Plan Changes Delays Cost Increases
- 7 days ago
- 1 min read
FEBRUARY 20, 2026
Following strong pushback against proposed plan design changes to the Group Insurance Commission’s (GIC) healthcare coverage, the GIC has delayed the vote to implement the new plan proposal.
Specifically, Senator Bill Driscoll Jr. (D-Milton) joined 20 other Senators and 60 Representatives in calling on the Governor to maintain the current plan design structure. The Senators' letter to the Governor expresses their concern with the GIC plan design proposal that would shift roughly $120 million in annual costs onto the backs of constituents who serve as state employees.
The proposal was not the solution to high healthcare costs in Massachusetts, and as such, this is a win for all who drew attention to the widespread hardships associated with the potential changes.
Read the full Senators' letter, here:
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This piece about the pushback against the GIC healthcare plan changes really shows how complex and frustrating the situation has become for a lot of people. It makes sense that lawmakers, public workers and retirees would be upset that things like copays for urgent care, ER visits and even coverage for certain medications might change or cost more, because healthcare is already expensive for so many. I liked how the article mentioned that many members are having trouble affording rent, food and other basics already, so shifting even more cost onto them doesn’t feel fair or sustainable for a lot of families. It’s clear this isn’t just a budget discussion but something that affects people’s real lives and access to…