Chap.  126.         AN    ACT   MAKING    APPROPRIATIONS    FOR    THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE THIRTIETH, NINETEEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-THREE TO PROVIDE FOR SUPPLEMENTING CERTAIN EXISTING APPROPRIATIONS AND FOR CERTAIN ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS OF AN URGENT OR EMERGENCY NATURE.
Be it enacted,  etc.,  as follows:
SECTION 1. To provide for supplementing certain items in the general appropriation act and for certain new activities and projects, the sums set forth in section two for the several purposes and subject to the provisions of law regulating the disbursement of public funds and the conditions pertaining to appropriations in chapter one hundred and ninety-one of the acts of nineteen hundred and eighty-two, for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and eighty-three or for such period as may be specified, the sums so appropriated to be in addition to any amounts available for the purpose.
SECTION 2.
Item
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION AND  FINANCE. Group  Insurance Commission.
11202000    For the commonwealth's share of the group insurance premium;  provided, that the group insurance commission shall charge the division of employment security and other departments,  authorities, agencies and divisions which have federal or other funds allocated to them for this purpose for that portion of the cost of the program as it determines should be borne by such funds, and shall notify the comptroller of the amounts to be transferred,  after similar determination, from the several state or other funds, and amounts  received in payment of all such charges or such transfers shall be credited to the General  Fund;   provided,  that notwithstanding the provisions of section twentysix of chapter twentynine of the General  Laws,  the commission is hereby authorized to negotiate,   purchase and execute contracts by April first of each year for a policy or policies of group insurance as authorized by chapter thirtytwo A of the General Laws;   and provided further,  that the present level of health  insurance coverage shall  be maintained but shall not constitute payments in full of charges for health care services;  and provided further,  that effective July first,  nineteen hundred and eightyone said commonwealth's share of the group insurance as provided,   in  section eight of said chapter thirtytwo A shall be ninety per cent of the total monthly premiums or rates
as established by the commission effective July first,   nineteen  hundred and eightyone;  and further provided,  that no funds appropriated under this item shall be expended for the payment of abortions  not necessary to prevent the death of the mother;  and provided further that the commission  shall  notify the house and senate committees on ways and means,  by April fifteenth of each year,  of the commonwealth's actual cost of its share of group insurance premiums for the next fiscal year;   provided,  further,  that the commission shall  report to the house and senate committees on ways and means no later than October first,   nineteen hundred and eighty-two on the feasibility of converting the present group health  insurance plan,   administered by the commission and underwritten by Massachusetts  Blue Cross/ Blue Shield,  to a standardized health insurance package,   such as,  but not necessarily limited to,  the "Master Medical" plan available from that insurance carrier;   prior appropriation continued                                                            $4,800,000
Department of Public Welfare.
4406-2000 For    a    program    of    general  relief;  provided,  that notwithstanding the provisions of any law to the contrary,   limited medical services shall be provided, to general  relief  recipients  including, physician office visits,   basic dental care,  drugs, laboratories,   durable goods,  eye care,   and  home health care;   provided that certain  recipients shall receive a five per cent cost of living  payment on each monthly grant payable to said  recipients; provided,  further,  that no recipient eligible for receipt of benefits under this program shall receive a grant reduction  solely as a  result of any change in or consolidation of the grant structure;  and provided further that no changes in the eligibility criteria for benefits under this  program shall be implemented without the prior written approval of the house and senate committees on ways and means;   provided,  that not more than seven million one hundred thousand dollars may be expended for said medical services
$6,500,000
SECTION 3.    This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved May 27,  1983.