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April 13, 2006

Governor Mitt Romney vetoed these provisions in the bill:

An annual ''Fair Share Assessment" charge of $295 per worker on employers of 11 or more workers who don't provide health insurance, as well as a report on the impact of the assessment. ''I am vetoing this section because it is not necessary to implement or finance healthcare reform," the governor said.

A section restoring dental and vision benefits that were cut in 2002 for residents in MassHealth Essential, a program for long-term unemployed adults, and giving Medicaid recipients who meet certain wellness goals, such as being screened for cancer, discounts on premiums and copayments. The governor said this ''will cost $75 million annually and is therefore financially unsustainable," and gives Medicaid recipients a dental benefit ''not provided by 60 percent of employers in Massachusetts."

A revamped and larger Public Health Council to advise the state public health commissioner. The legislation gives new authority to the Massachusetts Hospital Association and other private organizations to appoint members to the council, which the governor said is a ''violation of the separation of powers required by the Massachusetts Constitution."

A section allowing ''special status aliens"-- legal immigrants who have been here less than five years or those who don't have permanent status -- to receive Medicaid benefits without regard to the income of their sponsor. The governor said that ''it is important to take into consideration the financial status of the sponsor" in determining whether medical coverage should be provided.

A section requiring a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and of the Senate to participate in negotiations with the federal government for special Medicaid funding, known as the MassHealth demonstration waiver, that the state is counting on to help pay for the new law. The governor said this section ''inappropriately imposes legislative controls on executive branch management decisions."

A prohibition on the administration making changes to the financing, regulation of, or operation of mental health benefits for Medicaid recipients unless it first submits its reasons to the Legislature. The governor said this section ''inappropriately imposes legislative controls on executive branch management decisions."