By Tiffany Williams –
Governors and state leaders across New England on Wednesday announced a series of initiatives focused on health care affordability, housing production, education and public safety, while Maine honored commercial fishermen who lost their lives on the water during the past year.
In Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey announced that the Division of Insurance negotiated lower proposed health insurance rate increases from seven insurers, a move the administration projects will save residents and businesses approximately $72 million in health care premiums for 2027.
According to the administration, the Division of Insurance renegotiated lower rates with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts HMO Blue, Inc., Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Health New England, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, Tufts Health Public Plans, United Healthcare and WellSense Health Plan.
The savings are expected to affect approximately 670,000 Massachusetts residents and businesses enrolled in plans offered through the state’s merged market.
The administration also announced that Division of Insurance Commissioner Michael Caljouw rejected Fallon Community Health Plan’s proposed 25.7% premium increase.
According to the state, the commissioner determined the proposed increase was excessive and inconsistent with his responsibility to Massachusetts consumers and businesses.
The decision is subject to an administrative appeal process should the insurer choose to pursue one.
“Massachusetts residents and businesses are already struggling with the high cost of health care. Nobody can afford massive increases in their health insurance premiums on top of that,” Governor Healey said.
“Commissioner Caljouw and his team are always looking for ways to lower people’s costs – whether that’s by capping co-pays and deductibles or removing prior authorizations. Now, he’s saving people tens of millions of dollars next year by negotiating with affordability as his focus.”
The administration said legislation signed last year expanded the Division of Insurance’s authority to consider affordability during its review of merged market rate filings.
According to the governor’s office, those changes initially saved residents and businesses $54 million through renegotiated rate increases for 2026.
The administration also highlighted previous actions that capped health care co-pays and deductibles, reduced prior authorization requirements for many routine and essential health care services and prohibited medical debt from appearing on consumer credit reports.
The Healey-Driscoll administration also announced the launch of Phase One of a statewide Accessory Dwelling Unit Incentive Program designed to help homeowners determine whether constructing an accessory dwelling unit is appropriate for their property.
The initiative will be administered by the Massachusetts Housing Partnership in collaboration with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.
The program provides homeowners with access to professional feasibility studies evaluating site conditions, local permitting requirements, utility needs, preliminary design options and high-level construction cost estimates before investing significant resources into a project.
“Massachusetts needs to build more homes, and ADUs are one of the fastest ways to create new housing in communities across our state,” Governor Healey said.
“Our Affordable Homes Act made it easier to build ADUs, and we saw major interest from homeowners. Now we’re giving them the tools they need to turn an idea into reality, creating more housing options while helping families stay in the communities they love.”
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll said the initiative is intended to help homeowners and communities move projects through the planning process more efficiently.
“As a former mayor, I know communities need guidance and practical support to turn good housing policy into real homes,” Driscoll said.
“These programs give homeowners, builders and local officials better information at the start of a project and help ADUs move through design and permitting with fewer surprises. That means more flexible housing options in every region of the state.”
Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana Matias said the administration is focused on helping homeowners move projects forward following passage of the Affordable Homes Act.
“The Affordable Homes Act created a level playing field for ADUs across Massachusetts,” Matias said.
“HLC is now focused on giving people the tools to move forward. Every ADU that gets permitted is one more home for a family, a caregiver, a renter or a neighbor who wants to stay close to community.”
Accessory dwelling units are smaller residential living spaces located on the same property as an existing home.
They may be constructed within an existing residence, attached as an addition or built as a detached structure such as a backyard cottage or converted garage.
State officials said participation in a feasibility study does not obligate homeowners to construct an accessory dwelling unit or continue working with the selected provider.
The administration also announced that findings from the studies will help guide future housing policy, financing tools, infrastructure investments and technical assistance programs.
The Healey-Driscoll administration said it has committed $10 million over two years to support statewide accessory dwelling unit initiatives while MassHousing has launched low-cost financing options for eligible homeowners.
In Connecticut, Governor Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker announced that registration has opened for the Connecticut State Department of Education’s new Paraeducator Preparation Academy.
The free six-week program is designed to prepare aspiring paraeducators for the ParaPathways assessment required for employment in Connecticut schools.
The inaugural session is scheduled to run from Aug. 17 through Sept. 23 at the Leaders for Educational Advocacy and Diversity Center in East Hartford.
The academy includes instruction from certified bilingual educators, covers study materials and examination costs and offers Spanish-language support.
Participants who complete the program and pass the ParaPathways assessment will be connected with school districts seeking paraeducators.
Once hired, participants will also receive mentorship from experienced paraeducators.
“Paraeducators are essential members of our school communities, and Connecticut needs more talented people answering that call,” Governor Lamont said.
“This academy removes barriers, creates new opportunities, and helps build the strong special education workforce our students deserve. It is another example of how we are investing in opportunity while strengthening public education across our state.”
Commissioner Russell-Tucker said the program is intended to reduce financial barriers while strengthening the state’s educator workforce.
“Every student benefits from caring, well-prepared educators, and paraeducators are an indispensable part of that success,” Russell-Tucker said.
“By eliminating the cost of training and exam fees, providing mentoring, and connecting participants with hiring school districts, the Paraeducator Preparation Academy creates new opportunities for aspiring paraeducators while strengthening Connecticut’s educator workforce.”
State officials said the academy is funded through a $1 million special education training, education and testing competitive grant program.
In Maine, Governor Janet Mills participated in the annual Maine Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day ceremony in Boothbay Harbor honoring commercial fishermen who lost their lives while working on the water.
The ceremony included Commissioner Carl Wilson of the Maine Department of Marine Resources, members of Green and White Hope, local officials, the Maine Marine Patrol Honor Guard and families and friends of fallen fishermen.
This year’s ceremony honored Thomas West of Steuben, Stephen Johnson of Machias, Marshal Ames of North Haven and Sgt. Freeman Short of Presque Isle.
“Every commercial fisherman in Maine risks their safety to make a living on the water for themselves and for their families, contributing at the same time to one of our most iconic industries and to our way of life,” Governor Mills said.
“It was my honor to sign legislation establishing Maine Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day this March — making Maine one of the first states in the nation to do so — to remember the fishermen we have lost, honor their lives and offer our comfort to their loved ones, and recommit to doing everything we can to keep our fishing community safe from harm.”
Commissioner Wilson emphasized the dangers faced by those working in the fishing industry.
“Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous jobs in the US, but it is also one of the most important,” Wilson said.
“Maine fishermen risk their lives every day to feed and support their communities and to provide for their families. Maine Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day not only honors that sacrifice, but it also underscores the need for improved safety for those who continue to work on the water.”
Liz Michaud of Green and White Hope said the statewide observance ensures those losses are not forgotten.
“Maine’s commercial fishing industry has shaped our communities, our economy, and our identity for generations. Maine Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day gives us a chance to honor those we’ve lost, stand with the families and communities who carry their memory, and renew our commitment to helping more fishermen return safely home,” Michaud said.
Governor Mills signed legislation earlier this year permanently establishing July 21 as Maine Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day across the state.