By Tiffany Williams –
Massachusetts consumers are set to receive millions of dollars in health and dental insurance rebates, schools across the state are receiving nearly $25 million to strengthen literacy programs, and Connecticut is reporting tourism growth that outpaced the nation in 2025.
The developments affect hundreds of thousands of residents across Massachusetts while also offering a new look at Connecticut’s growing tourism economy heading deeper into 2026.
Massachusetts Consumers to Receive $14.5 Million in Insurance Rebates
Nine health and dental insurance carriers will return $14.5 million to hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts consumers after failing to meet state requirements governing how much premium revenue must be spent on patient care.
The Massachusetts Division of Insurance announced the rebates Friday.
For the first time, dental insurance companies in Massachusetts are being required to return money to consumers after failing to meet the state’s Dental Loss Ratio standard.
Massachusetts officials say the action makes the state the first in the country to require and enforce dental insurance rebates under such a standard.
Six dental insurers will return a combined $8.4 million.
Those companies are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Guardian Life Insurance Company, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Insurance Company, Reliance Standard Insurance Company, Standard Insurance Company and Starmount Life Insurance Company.
Another $6.1 million will be returned by three health insurers covering people through individual and small-employer plans.
Those carriers are Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Insurance Company, Massachusetts General Brigham Health Plan and UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company.
“People deserve to know that when they’re paying for health and dental insurance, their money is actually going toward care,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Massachusetts has some of the strongest consumer protection laws in the country, and we’re making sure they are enforced. We are putting more than $14 million back into the pockets of families and small businesses while implementing nation-leading dental insurance protections that save people money.”
Massachusetts requires health insurers selling individual and small-employer policies to spend at least 88% of premium dollars on health care services.
That exceeds the federal standard of 85%.
Dental insurers operating under the state standard must spend at least 83% of premium revenue on dental care.
Companies that fail to meet those thresholds over a three-year period can be required to return a portion of premiums to customers.
“Our efforts will help families and small business owners across the Commonwealth at a critical time. These rebates are important parts of our overall strategy to root out wasteful spending and reduce costs,” said Insurance Commissioner Michael Caljouw. “Massachusetts has some of the strongest consumer protections in the country to ensure that the money people pay for health and dental insurance is spent on patient care—not administrative costs or profits. State law requires health insurance companies offering individual and small employer plans to spend at least 88 percent of premium dollars on health care services, higher than the federal standard of 85 percent. Massachusetts law also requires dental insurance companies to spend at least 83 percent of premium dollars on dental care services. When insurers fall short of those standards over a three-year period, they are required to return a portion of premiums to consumers.”
The size of individual rebates will depend on the carrier and the amount each policyholder paid in premiums.
Consumers will receive the money through checks or credits toward future premium payments.
Carriers are expected to begin issuing the rebates later this month.
The action comes as the Healey administration continues pursuing a broader effort aimed at controlling health insurance costs.
State officials say Massachusetts has imposed limits on increases in health insurance deductibles and copayments while eliminating some prior authorization requirements for routine and essential care.
The administration has also moved to prevent medical debt from appearing on consumer credit reports.
Healey created a Health Care Affordability Working Group that recently issued recommendations focused on reducing costs for consumers, employers and families.
The Division of Insurance also negotiated reductions in proposed 2027 premium increases from seven insurers last month and rejected another proposed increase.
The administration estimates those actions could save Massachusetts residents and businesses more than $72 million in future premium expenses.
Massachusetts Awards Nearly $24.7 Million for Literacy Programs
Massachusetts is also directing nearly $24.7 million to school districts and an educational collaborative as the state expands efforts to improve literacy instruction.
The Healey-Driscoll administration announced grants to 71 school districts and one educational collaborative through four Partnership for Reading Success–Massachusetts programs, known as PRISM.
The money will support new instructional materials, professional development for educators and evidence-based approaches to literacy from pre-kindergarten through grade 12.
The grants are part of the state’s Literacy Launch initiative and follow legislation signed by Healey aimed at improving early literacy instruction.
More than 1,000 educators are also participating in Literacy Launch Institutes this summer.
“Reading is the foundation for everything students do in school and throughout their lives,” said Governor Maura Healey. “That’s why we’re making historic investments to strengthen literacy instruction, support educators and help every student build the skills they need to succeed.”
The largest portion of the latest funding is approximately $10.2 million through a continuation of the PRISM I program.
Thirteen grantees will use that money to continue strengthening early literacy programs designed to help students reach or exceed grade-level reading expectations by third grade.
Lynn Public Schools is receiving approximately $1.54 million, New Bedford Public Schools about $1.45 million and Brockton Public Schools more than $1.15 million.
Framingham Public Schools will receive nearly $925,000, while Haverhill and Peabody public schools will each receive more than $822,000.
Other recipients include Holyoke, Nashoba Regional, Norwood, Salem and Stoneham, along with partnerships involving Gateway Regional and Farmington River Regional school districts and Northborough and Southborough public schools.
Another $2.9 million is going to 13 grantees through the PRISM II continuation program.
That funding supports implementation of high-quality instructional materials for students from pre-kindergarten through third grade.
Pittsfield Public Schools will receive the largest award in that group at $466,500.
Wayland Public Schools will receive $302,000, while several other districts will receive awards ranging from about $177,500 to $217,500.
A second PRISM II cohort will distribute another $5.9 million among 36 new grantees.
The funding will help districts evaluate, select, purchase and introduce instructional materials for pre-kindergarten through third grade.
Fall River Public Schools is receiving $584,000.
Southbridge Public Schools will receive more than $313,000, while Braintree and Wellesley public schools will each receive $309,000.
Leominster Public Schools will receive $289,000, Lowell Public Schools $260,000 and Randolph Public Schools $245,000.
Other recipients include Ashland, Bedford, Brookline, Canton, Chelsea, Everett, Natick, Westborough, Westwood and several regional districts.
PRISM III funding will extend literacy work into older grade levels.
Nineteen new grantees will divide approximately $5.6 million for instructional materials, coaching and professional development for grades four through 12.
Lawrence Public Schools will receive approximately $500,175.
Brockton will receive $474,525, while Haverhill and Pittsfield will each receive more than $467,000.
Randolph Public Schools will also receive $467,685.
Worcester Public Schools is receiving $236,835 through the program.
Springfield Public Schools, through the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership, will receive $271,890, while Taunton, Medford, Methuen, Lowell and Woburn are among the other recipients.
“Districts across Massachusetts are doing important work to strengthen literacy instruction, and we’re proud to support them,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These investments will help schools build sustainable systems that give every student a strong foundation in reading.”
State officials say the goal extends beyond purchasing new textbooks or classroom materials.
“Improving literacy outcomes takes more than a one-time investment—it requires sustained commitment to high-quality instruction,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “By helping districts strengthen curriculum, build educator capacity, and support effective implementation, these grants will create lasting improvements for students across the Commonwealth.”
Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez said the programs are also intended to address disparities in educational outcomes.
“We’re committed to strengthening implementation of high-quality literacy instruction and continuing to address persistent disparities in access and achievement,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “Our work through PRISM grants and Literacy Launch Institutes is designed to help all students become strong readers and writers.”
Connecticut Tourism Surges Past National Growth
Connecticut welcomed 72.2 million visitors in 2025 as tourism growth in the state more than doubled the national rate, according to a new report highlighted by Governor Ned Lamont and the Connecticut Office of Statewide Marketing and Tourism.
Visits to Connecticut increased 3.1% from the previous year.
National tourism growth during the same period was 1.5%.
The industry generated an estimated $20.1 billion in total economic activity in Connecticut during 2025, up 3.4% from the previous year.
Direct visitor spending reached $12.3 billion.
Tourism supported 125,167 jobs, representing approximately 5% of employment across the state.
Visitor activity also generated approximately $1.6 billion in state and local tax revenue.
“Connecticut’s strength is not one attraction or one season—it is the extraordinary range of experiences we offer in a small state,” Governor Lamont said. “What distinguishes Connecticut is how much of the very best of New England is concentrated here. Our size is an advantage—visitors can experience exceptional food, culture, history, coastline, countryside, and city life without having to choose among them. That is a compelling proposition, and these results show that travelers increasingly recognize just how much Connecticut delivers.”
The tourism gains have continued into 2026.
Through June, statewide hotel occupancy increased 4.3%.
That compares with national growth of 1.3% and a 0.8% decline across New England during the same period.
Connecticut reported the strongest hotel occupancy growth among the states included in what officials described as its defined competitive set.
State officials are also pointing to tourism marketing as one factor contributing to stronger perceptions of Connecticut among potential travelers.
Connecticut’s latest Brand Perception and Health Study found people exposed to tourism advertising and public relations campaigns viewed the state more favorably than consumers who had not encountered the marketing.
Among those exposed to tourism marketing, Connecticut’s brand attributes received ratings that were an average of 42% higher.
The state was rated 32% higher as a place to visit or play and 22% higher as a place to live.
Those consumers also reported 23% greater intent to visit Connecticut within the following 12 months.
State officials said 61% took some form of action toward visiting.
Connecticut’s campaign promoting itself as the Pizza Capital of the U.S. also gained significant attention.
Among the campaign’s target audience, 60% reported seeing, hearing or reading coverage related to Connecticut pizza during 2025.
Another 62% agreed that Connecticut has great pizza.
“Taken together, these findings show how strategic marketing and earned media are helping strengthen Connecticut’s position as a destination and support continued tourism growth,” Morgan Nyerick, director of the Connecticut Office of Statewide Marketing and Tourism, said. “We have worked to introduce Connecticut in unexpected and highly memorable ways—creating cultural moments around the people, places, and experiences that make this state distinctive. The result is a destination that feels more relevant, more compelling, and more present in the travel conversation.”
Connecticut has promoted several tourism campaigns aimed at highlighting different parts of the state’s identity.
Recent initiatives include the Connecticut Pizza Trail, Connecticut Christmas Movie Trail, Connecticut Oyster Trail and the CT Perks program.
State tourism officials plan additional promotional efforts this fall focused on Connecticut’s history, culinary attractions, culture and seasonal destinations.
The visitor and economic figures come from the Annual Tourism Economics Report.
Hotel occupancy figures are based on STR data through June 2026, while marketing and consumer perception results come from the Annual H2R Brand Perception and Health Study.
Taken together, the latest announcements show Massachusetts and Connecticut making substantial investments in different areas of everyday life, from the cost of insurance and classroom literacy to an industry that remains a significant source of jobs, tax revenue and economic activity throughout the region.