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H 2084

An Act for a minimum hourly health improvement wage

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Day

Creates a portable per-hour health care credit earned for every hour worked across multiple jobs, phased via pilots, with 50+ employee firms required to provide credits.

Reporting date extended to Wednesday, December 3, 2025
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Bill Summary · H 2084

Summary: H. 2084 — An Act for a Minimum Hourly Health Improvement Wage

Overview

H. 2084, introduced February 27, 2025 by Representative Day (by request), proposes establishing a new statewide program named the Minimum Hourly Health Improvement Wage. The bill would create a framework to provide portable health care insurance “earnings” that accrue for every hour worked, with pilots first and then potential full implementation. The Public Health Council (PHC) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) would develop regulations and oversee pilot and full-program rollout.

Purpose and Intent

  • Improve access to health services for workers who are employed in multiple part-time jobs or in positions lacking comprehensive benefits.
  • Normalize employer contributions to health care costs by creating an hour-for-hour health care credit tied to hours worked.
  • Test the concept via a Pilot Program before broader adoption.

Key Provisions

  • New Chapter Creation: Inserts a new statutory framework titled “An Act for a Minimum Hourly Health Improvement Wage” into the Massachusetts General Laws.
  • Health Care Earnings per Hour: Establishes a portable health care insurance earning for each hour worked. The exact per-hour amount is to be determined, but the concept is that all hours worked across multiple jobs accumulate into a health care credit.
    • Example provided: if an employee has two 20-hour jobs, they would accrue 40 hours of health care improvement wage; three jobs at 18 hours each would yield 54 hours.
  • Portfolio of Jobs: Credits accrue across multiple simultaneous or sequential jobs, addressing the reality of workers holding more than one part-time position.
  • Employer Requirements:
    • Employers with 50 or more employees should provide health care compensation credits for each hour worked.
    • Employers with fewer than 50 employees may participate voluntarily.
  • Pilot Program and Regulation: PHC and DPH would analyze, develop recommendations, and regulate both Pilot Programs and a potential full program after pilots.
  • Costs and Tax Credits: Participation is framed as a business cost; specific tax credits are to be recommended during the Pilot Program and defined for broader, permanent implementation.
  • Phased Implementation: Initial establishment as a Pilot Program, with recommendations for full implementation based on pilot experience.

Affected Parties

  • Workers: Part-time and multi-employer workers who may lack full benefits or consistent health coverage.
  • Employers: Businesses, especially those with 50+ employees (and voluntary participation for smaller firms during pilots).
  • State Agencies: Public Health Council (PHC) and Department of Public Health (DPH) would regulate and supervise pilots and eventual expansion.

Timeline and Procedural Details

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Hearing: Scheduled for July 15, 2025 (10:30 AM–1:00 PM, in B-2).
  • Action Date: Referred to the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development on February 27, 2025.
  • Status Update: Reporting date extended to Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
  • Related Legislation: House Docket 4054; similar matter previously filed as H. 1863 in the 2023-2024 session.

Notes on Scope and Financing

  • The per-hour health care credit amount is to be determined.
  • The program contemplates tax credits to support pilot participation and broader adoption.
  • The bill introduces a regulatory framework and a phased approach (pilot first, then potential full implementation).

Potential Impacts

  • Could improve access to health care for workers with fragmented or part-time employment.
  • May impose new administrative and cost considerations on larger employers; incentives via tax credits are contemplated.
  • Establishes a framework for regulator-led pilots, data collection, and gradual expansion.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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