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State AG’s office helps those burdened during COVID-19
By David Mclellan | April 27, 2020
People should be “on alert” for companies that may try to take advantage of the COVID-19 outbreak.
That’s what the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office has stated plainly. And a number of steps have been taken to minimize onerous billing, price gouging, and undue financial burden as the number of confirmed cases in the state rises.
Price gouging
The Attorney General’s office filed an emergency regulation March 20 expanding the definition of “price gouging.” While a previous regulation only applied to gasoline and petroleum products, the AG’s office has added “goods or services necessary for the health, safety, or welfare of the public” during the state of emergency to its regulation.
This means the AG’s office is monitoring the cost of items such as hand sanitizer and facemasks during the pandemic, and, to date, has received more than 3,000 coronavirus-related inquiries from consumers worried about high prices.
“We’ve heard from hospitals and consumers about skyrocketing prices for things like hand sanitizer, face masks, and other essential gear needed to prevent the spread of this highly contagious virus and keep our front-line workers safe. That’s unacceptable and illegal,” said Attorney General Maura Healey in a statement. “We issued this emergency regulation because no one should be exploiting this crisis and putting the public at risk.”
If concerned that an item necessary for public health is overpriced, contact the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office at 617-727-8400.
Eviction
Foreclosures, as well as all states of eviction, have been halted during the pandemic. Last week, Gov. Charlie Baker signed a strong moratorium on eviction, following pressure from a coalition of lawyers, labor and teachers unions, and community organizers.
More than 700 new eviction cases were filed in Massachusetts from March 13 up until the moratorium was passed on Monday, April 20.
“Before the pandemic, displacement and out-of-control housing costs were already wreaking havoc on working class neighborhoods and communities of color,” said Isaac Simon Hodes of Lynn United for Change. “Evictions and foreclosures have always had a terrible impact on health, and now the coronavirus has turned them into even deadlier threats. A lot more needs to be done, but this moratorium is a critical step in protecting vulnerable people during the crisis.”
The moratorium lasts 120 days, or 45 days after the governor’s emergency declaration is lifted, whichever is sooner. It may be extended for intervals of up to 90 days.
“Right here in Lynn, our group has been hearing from tenants whose corporate landlords sent notices to vacate and filed new court eviction cases during the coronavirus emergency,” Hodes said. “This new law sends an important message that people should prioritize health and stay home, and that unscrupulous landlords and banks should stop threatening tenants and homeowners.”
Insurance premiums
For those who are making less money than usual due to COVID-19, they may be able to lower their health insurance premiums by filing a “premium hardship waiver,” or by visiting www.mass.gov/guides/resources-during-covid-19#-health-care-and-insurance-.
Baker has also ordered that insurers expand virtual “telehealth services” and cover services related to COVID-19 testing and treatment without cost-sharing by patients.
When it comes to automobile insurance, the Attorney General’s office is also taking measures to ensure residents are not overly burdened with bills. In a letter to Gary Anderson, Massachusetts Division of Insurance commissioner, Glenn Kaplan, chief of the Attorney General’s Office Insurance and Financial Services Division, directed “all automobile insurance companies in Massachusetts to immediately reduce personal auto insurance premiums” paid by drivers.
“These reductions are needed to reflect the greatly decreased driving and accompanying decrease in accidents resulting from the coronavirus pandemic,” Kaplan said. “Without a reduction, Massachusetts drivers will be overpaying for auto insurance at a time when many are already in difficult economic circumstances due to the national emergency.”
Kaplan’s directive asks insurance companies in Massachusetts to lower premiums, otherwise they will have seven days to object and have a hearing to determine an appropriate premium.
Kaplan referred to data showing a decrease in travel in Massachusetts, including a New York Times article showing travel is down 50 to 55 percent in Massachusetts compared to the same time last year.
Many automobile insurance companies have reduced premiums in response to decreased accidents — and driving in general — and pressure from government agencies. For example, Allstate, American Family, GEICO, and Liberty Mutual have reduced premiums charged to policyholders by more than $3 billion country-wide, collectively.