Page 20 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, SEpTEmbER 22, 2023 BEACON | FROM PAGE 17 held a hearing on a measure that would allow pharmacists to test, screen and treat some specific qualified health conditions including influenza, streptococcal infections, COVID-19 and HIV, “Pharmacists are critical players in protecting the health of our communities, and they are more than capable of serving as care providers for common health conditions,” said sponsor Rep. Kay Khan (D-Newton). “Given that over 90 percent of Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy, this bill will make healthcare more accessible for everyone, especially the most underserved populations. Allowing vulnerable communities to get tested and treated for common diseases right down the street at their local pharmacy can significantly improve health outcomes, reduce health disparities and promote health equity across the commonwealth.” DENIAL OF COVERAGE BY HEALTH CARE INSURERS (S 663) – Another measure before the Financial Services Committee would prohibit health insurers from denying claims except in the case where the carrier has reasonable basis supported by specific info that the claim was submitted fraudulently. Also requires insurers to provide clarifications of refusals, offer sufficient time for policy holders to resubmit claims and to respond to refusal appeals within 30 days. Supporters said that some health insurers still deny claims filed by health care providers due to administrative or technical defects. They argued this creates disruptions in care for patients, who are often left responsible for bridging the gap between insurers and providers when errors arise. “Whether it’s an administrative error or a technical default with a claim, too many medically necessary treatments are denied by insurance providers for the wrong reasons,” said sponsor Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy). “We need to improve the process so that care is disrupted as little as possible when mistakes like this are made.” EXEMPT CITIES AND TOWNS FROM GAS TAX (H 2846) – A measure heard by the Revenue Committee would exempt all cities and towns from the 24-cents-pergallon state gas tax. “Our current system requires cities and towns to wait for the annual distribution of local aid before seeing any kind of rebate or return of the taxes paid on the municipal purchase of fuel,” said sponsor House GOP Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “By providing a permanent exemption from the excise tax, cities and towns will have immediate access to these additional local revenues to use as they see fit. While we are all currently dealing with the continually high cost of gasoline and heating oil, this legislation represents one way we can provide our cities and towns with much needed tax relief.” EXEMPT MASKS, FACE SHIELDS AND GLOVES FROM THE SALES TAX (H 2732) – Another bill before the Revenue Committee would exempt masks, face shields, medical gloves and smocks from the state’s 6.25 percent sales tax. “As COVID-19 cases once again increase and we battle ongoing inflation, ensuring these products remain accessible and affordable is of the utmost importance,” said Sponsor Rep. Tackey Chan (D-Quincy). REVENGE PORN (S 1139) – The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on legislation that would prohibit the posting of sexually explicit images of another person online without their permission—commonly referred to as “revenge porn.” The practice is often used by ex-spouses or ex-partners. “Massachusetts continues to be one of only two states in the nation that does not criminalize revenge porn and it is beyond time that we close this loophole,” said sponsor Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield). “Far too many individuals have suffered through this painful abuse, and continue to live in fear, all without having an avenue to seek justice.” Another provision in the bill changes current law under which minors, under 18 years of age, who share explicit images of themselves or other minors can be charged with violating Massachusetts child pornography laws and be required to register with the Sex Offender Registry. The bill allows minors to be diverted to an educational program that would provide them with information about the consequences of posting or transmitting indecent visual depictions of minors. Supporters say that under current law, when faced with an incident of sexting among teenagers, law enforcement officials are faced with either charging them with a felony or taking no action. They note the proposal provides law enforcement officers with a middle ground that will allow them to educate kids about the consequences of their actions without ruining their lives. The House and Senate approved different versions of similar measures in 2022 but the proposals eventually died in the House from inaction. QUOTABLE QUOTES “Make no mistake about it, it’s not going to be easy every year. We don’t get [federal pandemic relief] money every year. It will be a challenge to keep this commitment, but you have my word and from these guys who are going to be here after me that we’ll make it -- we’ll make it work.” ---House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy) on the $171.5 million in this year’s budget to fund a requirement that all public schools provide free school lunches to all K-12 students in all schools regardless of family income; and free breakfast only to the students in schools which participate in the breakfast program. “Our country’s democracy is a work in progress. That said, some states are going backwards — putting up barriers to people voting. Let’s be a state where things are moving forward — by passing the Voting Access Act.” ---Janet Domenitz, executive director of MASSPIRG urging passage of The Voting Access Act which she says will remove long-standing barriers to voting by enacting same day registration, disability voting oversight and other reforms to make voting easier for Bay Staters. “Today I saw firsthand the devastating impacts of severe flooding in Leominster and North Attleborough – and it was painfully clear that Massachusetts is in a state of emergency. This declaration will expedite our efforts to deliver relief to impacted communities and bolster our ability to access federal resources.” --- Gov. Maura Healey on declaring a state of emergency in Massachusetts. “We currently have over $3.4 billion in unclaimed property at Treasury, and it could be yours. Unclaimed property’s time is up; your time is now. ---State Treasurer Deb Goldberg urging residents to see if they are the owners of unclaimed property by checking the comprehensive list at https://www.findmassmoney. gov/ or calling 888-344-MASS (6277). HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Notice Of Federal Tax Liens A federal tax lien represents the U.S. government’s legal claim against your property in the event a substantial federal income tax is unpaid. Such a lien is good against all of your property, even after-acquired property. If a Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) is filed at the registry of deeds where the taxpayer owns real estate, it will serve as a lien against the real estate which would result in you not being able to borrow money from a bank or to sell the real estate to a third party unless the lien is paid off with bank financing or if the lien is reflected as a liability on the disclosure statement at the closing on a sale transaction and deducted from the seller’s sales proceeds. IRS Form 668, Notice of Federal Tax Lien, will include the name of the taxpayer, the serial number of the NFTL, the type of tax, the tax period(s), last four digits of the taxpayer’s social security number, the date of assessment, the date of refiling, the amount of unpaid taxes, the book and page number as well as the date of recording at the applicable registry of deeds where the taxpayer owns real estate, the date of the NFTL, and the name of the IRS Revenue Officer. If the IRS does not refile the NFTL within 10 years and 30 days of the date of assessment, the lien will expire as a matter of law. In these situations, often the debt per the IRS records would be automatically wiped clean. I have seen on many occasions where the taxpayer waits out the 10 year, 30 day period, and the debt no longer appears within the IRS system. If the IRS does not believe collection is probable, the debt collection activities most likely will not pursued. However, if the IRS has a lien against known real estate, it may very well refile the NFTL. The IRS generally has 10 years from the date of assessment to collect a federal income tax. The IRS does not need to obtain a judgment against you in a court of law in order to file the NFTL. This is unlike a judgment lien which is filed pursuant to a court rendering an opinion against a debtor or defendant in a lawsuit. Joseph D. Cataldo is an estate planning/elder law attorney, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a masters degree in taxation. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible latenight sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of September 11-15, the House met for a total of 15 minutes while the Senate met for a total of 10 minutes. Mon.Sept. 11 House12:01 p.m. to 12:06 p.m. Senate 11:08 a.m. to 11:13 a.m. Tues.Sept. 12 No House session No Senate session Wed.Sept. 13 No House session No Senate session Thurs. Sept. 14 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:11 a.m. Senate 11:17 a.m. to 11:22 a.m. Fri.Sept. 15 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019.
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