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HD 3249

An Act relative to the community health initiative payment

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Todd Smola

HD 3249: An Act relative to the community health initiative payment OverviewBill Number: HD 3249 Title: An Act relative to the community health initiative paymentStatus: Proposed

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Bill Summary · HD 3249

HD 3249: An Act relative to the community health initiative payment

Overview

Bill Number: HD 3249
Title: An Act relative to the community health initiative payment
Status: Proposed bill
Introduced: November 29, 2025

Purpose and Intent

The primary goal of this bill is to establish a new "Community Health Initiative Payment" program to provide financial support to local and regional public health departments. The intent is to strengthen the capacity of these agencies to address pressing community health needs and social determinants of health.

Key Provisions

  • Creates a dedicated trust fund to collect and distribute Community Health Initiative Payments
  • Requires all health insurance carriers to contribute 0.5% of their total annual premiums to the trust fund
  • Directs the Department of Public Health to develop a formula for allocating funds to local and regional public health departments based on population size, health disparities, and other factors
  • Mandates that recipient agencies use the funds for activities such as:
    • Expanding access to preventive services
    • Addressing social determinants of health (e.g. housing, food security, transportation)
    • Improving data collection and analysis capabilities
    • Enhancing emergency preparedness and response
  • Establishes reporting requirements for fund recipients to ensure transparency and accountability

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Local and regional public health departments would receive a significant, stable source of funding to expand their capacity and services
  • Health insurance carriers would be required to contribute 0.5% of premiums, which may lead to slightly higher consumer costs
  • Residents in communities served by these public health agencies could benefit from improved access to preventive care and social services, potentially reducing health disparities

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

This bill was introduced in the state legislature on November 29, 2025 and has been referred to the Joint Committee on Public Health for initial consideration. If passed by the committee, it would then proceed to a full vote in both the House and Senate. Given the potential impact on the health insurance industry, the bill may face some opposition, but proponents argue the benefits to public health justify the new assessment on carriers. The legislature is expected to consider the bill during the current session, with a goal of enacting it by the end of 2026.

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

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