An Act to provide rapid whole genome sequencing

This bill directs Massachusetts health officials to cover rapid whole genome sequencing for Medicaid patients under 21 who have complex or acute illnesses of unknown cause while in intensive care. The test, which analyzes a patient's entire genetic code to find disease-causing changes, must return preliminary results within five days and final results within two weeks. Coverage is limited to cases where the patient exhibits specific severe symptoms, such as multiple congenital anomalies, refractory seizures, or abnormal heart function, and where timely genetic diagnosis is necessary to guide treatment. To support this new service, the bill requires the state to set a separate reimbursement rate for hospitals that performs the testing outside of standard bundled payments.