Healthcare

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

H 5038: An Act to improve patient access to non-emergency medical transportation

This bill requires insurance plans and Medicaid to approve non-emergency medical transportation (like ambulances and wheelchair vans) for specific services - dialysis, behavioral health, and post-acute care - valid for at least 3 business days, reducing delays for patients. It also mandates that insurers pay providers at least 2.5 times standard rates for these services to ensure adequate compensation. The law applies to Medicaid managed care organizations, commercial insurers, and health plans covering these transportation needs. A study on reimbursement adequacy and workforce impacts is also required.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurance/Medicaid to cover non-emergency transport for dialysis, behavioral health, and post-acute care with 2.5x provider payments, directly improving patient access and funding for key healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 2938: An Act to promote increased access to patient care through equitable reimbursement

The committee on Health Care Financing to whom was referred the Senate Bill to promote increased access to patient care through equitable reimbursement (Senate, No. 783), - reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2938).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly promotes 'increased access to patient care through equitable reimbursement,' directly aligning with support indicators for improved access and fair provider payments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Feb 5, 2026

HD 5580: A report of the Executive Office of Aging and Independence (under Section 32 of Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024, as amended by Section 70 of Chapter 14 of the Acts of 2025) submitting the Massachusetts Assisted Living Residence (ALR) Commission report

HD 5580 requires the Massachusetts Assisted Living Residence (ALR) Commission to submit a report to the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, following a 2025 fire at Gabriel House Assisted Living. The report includes key recommendations such as reinvesting certification fees into the ALR Certification Unit and proposing more frequent facility reviews (every 12-18 months instead of biennially) with additional funding. It also suggests updating regulatory language to clarify nursing responsibilities, ensuring alignment with scope-of-practice rules for LPNs and RNs. The bill itself is procedural, focusing on the report's submission rather than immediate policy changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates enhanced oversight (12-18 month reviews) and funds ALR certification via fee reinvestment, strengthening safety and regulatory standards for assisted living healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

H 5046: An Act to protect the lives of student athletes; Freddy’s law

H 5046 ("Freddy’s Law") requires all Massachusetts high school athletes participating in MIAA sports to undergo one electrocardiogram (EKG) screening before competing, starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill mandates that all health insurance plans sold in Massachusetts - including state employee coverage, employer group plans, and individual policies - must cover this screening at no cost to families. It also directs the state to work with the MIAA to create policies covering athlete compliance, handling abnormal results, religious exemptions, and sharing screening results across schools. The law directly affects all high school athletes in MIAA sports and their insurance providers, ensuring EKG screenings are accessible without out-of-pocket costs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates all MA health insurance plans to cover EKG screenings at no cost, expanding access to preventive healthcare for student athletes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 5017: An Act relative to telehealth and digital equity for patients

This bill requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover and reimburse new telehealth services, including e-consults (provider-to-provider digital advice), e-visits (patient-initiated digital check-ins), and remote monitoring of health data. It directly affects patients seeking virtual care, healthcare providers delivering telehealth services, and insurance carriers. Key provisions mandate coverage for these services without extra prior authorization compared to in-person visits, include interpreter services for non-English speakers or Deaf patients, and require insurers to offer digital health literacy programs for patients with low tech skills. The bill also creates a shared portal for applying to affordable broadband programs to support digital access.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for telehealth services, expanding patient access to virtual care without prior authorization barriers95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates insurance coverage for telehealth services including remote monitoring, promoting digital equity in healthcare access95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Telehealth Broadband Access

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 26, 2026

H 5087: An Act regulating the operation of medical spas

By Representative Peisch of Wellesley, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Alice Hanlon Peisch for legislation to regulate the operation of medical spas. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates medical spas under Public Health to ensure safety standards, aligning with healthcare service protection and patient safety goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 15, 2026

H 5041: An Act relative to ensuring treatment for genetic craniofacial conditions

This bill (H 5041) requires all health insurance plans covering specific groups in Massachusetts to provide coverage for medically necessary treatment of three genetic craniofacial conditions: ectodermal dysplasia, dentinogenesis imperfecta, and amelogenesis imperfecta. It mandates coverage for functional repair or restoration of craniofacial disorders caused by congenital conditions, excluding cosmetic procedures, unrelated dental work, and cleft lip/palate (which is covered under separate provisions). The coverage must not impose higher deductibles, copays, or out-of-pocket limits than other benefits in the plan. It applies to group insurance for state employees, state health division programs, private health insurance policies, hospital service plans, and health maintenance organizations. The bill does not create new benefits but ensures existing plans cover these specific conditions equally with other medical treatments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for medically necessary treatment of specific genetic craniofacial conditions, expanding patient access to essential healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

H 5015: An Act relative to rate equity for community health centers

H 5015 requires Massachusetts health insurers and health plans to reimburse community health centers at rates equivalent to MassHealth payments for the same services. It applies to all entities paying for Federally Qualified Health Center services, including private insurers, HMOs, and dental corporations. The law mandates that reimbursement must match MassHealth's payment methodology as of January 1, 2025, ensuring community health centers receive the same revenue they would get through Medicaid. Insurers must annually report compliance with this standard to the state insurance division.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal reimbursement rates for community health centers by private insurers as provided by MassHealth, ensuring financial stability and improved access to care for underserved populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Primary Care

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 2857: An Act to ensure access to medical parole

Senate, January 22, 2026 -- The committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1707) of Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to remove barriers to medical parole; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1722) of Liz Miranda, Joanne M. Comerford, Adam Gomez and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to grant elder and medical parole, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2857).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes barriers to medical parole, a criminal justice reform aimed at reducing unnecessary incarceration for terminally ill/elderly inmates.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes barriers to medical parole, ensuring incarcerated individuals access necessary healthcare services, directly improving patient access to medical care.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 5022: An Act relative to direct primary care

H 5022 prohibits health insurance companies from denying payment for covered services solely because a patient received a referral from a doctor outside the insurance network. This affects patients seeking care from non-network providers and requires insurers to cover services under the same terms as network referrals. The bill amends multiple sections of Massachusetts health insurance laws (including Chapters 32A, 32B, 94C, 175, 176A, 176B, 176G, and 176I) to include this uniform rule. It takes effect one year after enactment for all new, renewed, or amended insurance contracts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from denying coverage for out-of-network referrals, expanding patient access to care and protecting provider choice under Massachusetts health insurance laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care

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