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Here’s how many could lose healthcare in Mass. due to ‘big, beautiful bill,’ per Healey

If passed, the bill could cost the Massachusetts healthcare system $1.75 billion and disrupt MassHealth, officials say.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey speaks during a visit to the Cambridge Health Alliance Revere Care Center last week in Revere. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe

By Beth Treffeisen

June 2, 2025

2 minutes to read

The U.S. House of Representatives reconciliation bill, dubbed the “big, beautiful bill” by President Donald Trump, will wreak havoc on Massachusetts health insurers, officials say.

The bill, which the U.S. House passed on Thursday, would cut $1.75 billion from MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program and the Massachusetts Health Connector Marketplace.

According to the Healey administration, the shortfall will result in more than 250,000 Massachusetts residents losing health care coverage under those programs, and increase costs for everyone.

“This isn’t a scalpel to trim waste — this is a massive ax to our entire health care system,” said Gov. Maura Healey in a statement.

“Costs will go up for everyone,” Healey continued. “We cannot let this happen – we are fighting back.”

The administration stated that the cuts will impact more than just MassHealth and the Connector. They will reduce services at nursing homes, community health centers, and hospitals, or even force some of them to close.

The closures will also put the jobs of doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals at risk, according to Healey.

Health care costs for everyone will rise as more uninsured people seek care in emergency rooms, further straining providers and limiting access to services.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh, in a statement, said that MassHealth supports nearly half of the children in Massachusetts and almost three-quarters of people in nursing homes, and more than half of people with disabilities.

“The Massachusetts residents we cover tell us consistently that we have been their lifeline, allowing them to access health care and create the financial security they need to manage chronic conditions, and afford groceries, childcare, and car payments,” said Audrey Morse Gasteier, the executive director of the Massachusetts Health Connector, in a statement.

The reconciliation bill would mean that more than 85,000 residents will no longer be able to find a plan through the Health Connector that covers the health care they need at a monthly cost within their budget, said Morse Gasteier.

The federal legislation also includes policy changes on immigration, artificial intelligence, and food aid.

The bill also adds eligibility and spending reforms affecting Medicaid programs and health care marketplaces under the Affordable Care Act.

Some of the changes include imposing work requirements for non-disabled adults, prohibiting medicaid funds from paying providers primarily engaged in family planning services or reproductive services, and banning federal matching funds for gender transition procedures.

“Instead of fighting for guaranteed health care for all, Republicans in Congress are trying to gut Medicaid and rip health care away from millions of children and seniors in Massachusetts, and across the country — all to pay for tax breaks for billionaires,” said Sen. Ed Markey in a statement.

He continued, “But the fight to save Medicaid is far from over. We cannot agonize — we must organize to reject this big billionaire bonus and fight for a health care system that works for all Americans.”