Backfill October 13, 2025
Cross-posted from: https://jonathangerhardson.substack.com/p/medigap-premiums-on-the-rise-massdot
Massachusetts government web pages updated Oct. 13, 2025
Health insurance price hikes
Division of Insurance releases 2026 Medicare Supplement pricing details Medicare Supplement premiums are set to rise in 2026, with most insurers in Massachusetts planning rate increases. A guide released Monday by the state’s Division of Insurance outlines the new monthly costs for Core, Supplement 1, and Supplement 1A plans. While the document provides 2026 premium rates, the benefits table still reflects 2025 coverage; updated benefit details will be published when available. The guide also highlights market changes, including Humana’s decision to stop enrolling new Medigap customers in Massachusetts as of April 1, 2026—though current members may keep their coverage. Access to the Supplement 1 plan remains limited to individuals who qualified for Medicare before Jan. 1, 2020.
Most insurers are implementing increases of roughly 8% to 12% effective Jan. 1. For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Core plan jumps from $129.81 to $142.64 per month, while its Supplement 1A climbs from $212.23 to $233.24. Similar hikes appear for Fallon Health, HNE Insurance, Tufts, and others. UnitedHealthcare and Transamerica have already raised rates mid-year in 2025, with no further increases scheduled for January. https://www.mass.gov/doc/2025-medicare-supplement-product-listing-20252026/download (PDF)
Health coverage resource page updated A state resource page offers residents comprehensive information on health care coverage, including links to available plans and provider network phone numbers for assistance with scheduling appointments. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/health-care-coverage-information
Upcoming meetings and hearings
Disability Commission announces statewide hearings and upcoming meetings The Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities has announced a new series of statewide community hearings and resource fairs to engage directly with residents. The first event is scheduled for Nov. 4 at Needham Town Hall. The commission’s work involves examining issues like employment and transportation and advising the state’s legislative and executive branches. In a related effort, the Disability Employment Subcommittee will present a workshop on advancing disability employment at the upcoming Massachusetts APSE conference. https://www.mass.gov/orgs/permanent-commission-on-the-status-of-persons-with-disabilities
The commission and its subcommittees have scheduled several public meetings to discuss key initiatives and fiscal year 2026 goals.
Full Commission Meeting (Oct. 29, 2025): The commission will hold a hybrid public meeting to review its FY25 Annual Report. The meeting will be accessible in-person at the MA State House, via Zoom, and through a public livestream. ASL interpreters and CART services have been requested. https://www.mass.gov/event/permanent-commission-on-the-status-of-persons-with-disabilities-meeting-annual-report-review-10-29-2025
Workforce Supports Subcommittee (Nov. 13, 2025): This virtual meeting will focus on addressing the workforce crisis among service providers for individuals with disabilities. The agenda includes a presentation by Amy Doyle, Director of the Behavioral Health Workforce Center at the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission. https://www.mass.gov/event/workforce-supports-subcommittee-meeting-11-13-2025
Disability Employment Subcommittee (Nov. 17, 2025): This virtual meeting will feature a presentation by Kristen Grip of Boston Children’s Hospital on the role of Employment Resource Groups in increasing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. https://www.mass.gov/event/disability-employment-subcommittee-meeting-11-17-2025
LTSS and Health Equity Subcommittee (Nov. 17, 2025): A virtual meeting is scheduled to approve past minutes, hear a presentation, and discuss the subcommittee’s goals for fiscal year 2026. https://www.mass.gov/event/long-term-services-supports-ltss-and-health-equity-subcommittee-meeting-11-17-2025
Department of Agricultural Resources
The Ollie’s Law Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting via Zoom on Oct. 21, 2025. The agenda includes clarifying the timeline for new regulations with the MDAR and discussing key operational standards for kennels. A significant portion of the meeting will be dedicated to establishing educational and training requirements for kennel owners and staff, covering topics such as animal behavior, husbandry, medical awareness, and basic first aid, according to the meeting agenda.
On Sept. 20, 2024, an Act to Increase Kennel Safety (AKA Ollie’s Law) was signed by Gov. Maura Healey. This act updated dog kennel licensing laws and created a pathway for future kennel regulations in Massachusetts. https://www.mass.gov/doc/agenda-for-101525/download
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Agricultural Lands Preservation Committee will hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Items on the agenda include a discussion of the Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan and final votes on the Steve and Kathy Melnik Family Trust property in Deerfield and the Crescent Farm Trust in Haverhill. The committee will also hold a vote of interest for the Merrit Family Trust in Southampton. The meeting will be conducted over Microsoft Teams. https://www.mass.gov/event/meeting-notice-agricultural-lands-preservation-committee-10-15-25-10-15-2025
Tax board hearings
The Appellate Tax Board has published its schedule of proceedings for the week of Oct. 13-17, 2025, which includes cases involving taxpayers and the municipalities of Swampscott, Barnstable, and Montague. https://www.mass.gov/orgs/appellate-tax-board
Other updates
The Department of Transportation has updated a web page that provides a list of its current and completed research projects. Current initiatives are examining the effectiveness of drivers’ education, the use of recycled glass in concrete, and the effect of asphalt binder sources. The webpage also provides an archive of completed projects from 2016 to 2025, with past topics including accessible bus stops, speed management, and the impact of street trees on pedestrian safety.
It’s not clear why this page was updated on Oct. 13, but three of the listed current research projects have scheduled completion dates on Sept. 30, 2025. Speculatively, this could signal the final reports for these research projects will be released soon.
One of the Sept. 30 end-date projects looks at the effectiveness of driver safety programs, and aims to develop and assess training modules to improve novice drivers’ understanding and use of advanced driving assistance systems. Another is a field study designed to determine if a specific pavement type is being over-treated with salt during winter maintenance. The third looks at why certain asphalt mixtures fail prematurely to help the agency develop updated specifications and testing protocols. https://www.mass.gov/lists/current-and-completed-research-projects