Health Announce: Sept. 15, 2025
Topics for this week’s Health Announce:
- Preliminary injunction entered in lawsuit challenging the new proposed definition of “federal public benefits.”
- Health Connector Board gives “seal of approval” to Connector Marketplace 2026 carriers and plans – including termination of ConnectorCare Plan Types 1 and 3D – as well as to ending coverage of weight loss drugs.
- Lift Our Kids Rally at State House tomorrow at 11:30 am!
- Upcoming opportunities to support our immigrant communities, discuss urgent immigration matters, and learn how to help.
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This weekend kicks off the 17-day run of The Big E, a multi-state exposition and the country’s 4th largest fair. Held at the fair grounds at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, the event offers entertainment, amusement rides, and food – oh the food! From pickle sundaes to Shrek’s Swamp Water mocktails. Pro tip – ride the rides first, then eat the eats!
Be well,
Health Law Unit
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
1. Preliminary injunction entered in lawsuit challenging the new proposed definition of “federal public benefits.”
In July, several federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (DHS), published notices in the Federal Register redefining “federal public benefits” in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (“PRWORA”). The proposed definition severely restricts eligibility for 13 programs, cutting access to critical services for undocumented and many lawfully residing immigrants, by newly imposing citizenship and immigration criteria on programs that never had those limitations. Impacted programs include Community Health Centers, Head Start, and various federally funded mental health & substance use programs, along with programs that previously fell under a Department of Justice-defined exception for health & safety reasons (the new DOJ notice finds no need for any such exceptions). For more background, see Health Announce: July 22, 2025 and the updated explainer from Protecting Immigrant Families.
On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, the US District Court for the District of Rhode Island entered a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit brought by 20 states, including Massachusetts, blocking implementation of the new definition. The injunction applies to DHS, the Education Department, the Department of Labor, and the DOJ and went into effect in the 20 states that are party to the suit.
The court entered a separate preliminary injunction on September 11, 2025, blocking
the new immigrant eligibility restrictions in Head Start. Notably, this injunction applies nationwide.
2. Health Connector Board gives “seal of approval” to Connector Marketplace 2026 carriers and plans – including termination of ConnectorCare Plan Types 1 and 3D – as well as to ending coverage of weight loss drugs.
The Health Connector Board held a meeting on September 11, 2025, during which members discussed federal policy changes and voted on emergency ConnectorCare regulations and on final 2026 “seal of approval" actions. The Board was presented with information about the termination of ConnectorCare Plan Types 1 and 3D (see Health Announce: August 25, 2025). Guidance on finding coverage options for some of the individuals losing ConnectorCare coverage in 2026 can be found in MLRI’s CC Plan Type 1 Fact Sheet.
Additionally, the Board gave their "seal of approval" to the carriers and plans that will be offering plans through the Connector Marketplace in 2026 and to ending coverage of weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, placing the Health Connector in alignment with Medicare and Medicaid. The Board also set the minimum premium contributions for ConnectorCare Plans for 2026. Slides from the meeting will be posted on the Health Connector Board webpage.
3. Lift Our Kids Rally at State House tomorrow at 11:30 am!
The Lift Our Kids bills to raise cash assistance grants up to the deep poverty level are scheduled for a hearing tomorrow, September 16, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm before the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. Before the hearing, advocates are holding a rally outside the State House, starting at 11:30am. Lead bill sponsors, Rep. Decker and Sen. DiDomenico, as well as other coalition members, will be there to speak out.
And if you are frustrated about all of the federal attacks on our safety net, this is a good chance to cheer, yell, and show your support for doing what we can do here in Massachusetts to lift kids out of deep poverty!
4. Upcoming opportunities to support our immigrant communities, discuss urgent immigration matters, and learn how to help.
Office for Refugees and Immigrants Metrowest Immigration Convening on Wednesday, September 17, 6pm sharp until 7:30pm.
The Commonwealth’s Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI) invites you to a time-sensitive Metrowest convening to discuss urgent immigration matters in our communities, kindly hosted by MetroWest Worker Center. This convening is closed to the press. Register here to get the address of the in-person meeting or the link for virtual attendance.
The purpose of this convening is:
- To hear ORI updates on what the Commonwealth is presently doing in support of the immigrant community.
- To learn from the Attorney General Office how to effectively support community members and lawyers when witnessing immigration enforcement.
- To listen from community leaders in Los Angeles (CHIRLA) and Chicago (ICRR) about their community efforts.
- To brainstorm and exchange community support.
MLRI Zoom Meetings: What You Can Do To Help -- Friday, September 26 at 12:00 pm; and Monday, September 29 at 5:00 pm
This meeting is designed to make you aware of volunteer opportunities with nonprofits that need assistance in helping Massachusetts immigrants weather the upcoming enforcement actions in our state. Non-profits will come prepared with a slide describing the opportunities they have and a sign-up sheet in the chat. Depending on the non-profit, further training or background checks may be required. Register here: