Healthcare

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 4342: An Act assuring prompt access to health care

H 4342 requires most health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover routine outpatient doctor visits and basic medical care without requiring patients to pay a deductible first. This applies to standard individual, group, and employer-sponsored health insurance plans sold within the state. Certain federal tax-exempt health plans may still require deductibles to maintain their tax status. The law aims to reduce upfront costs for common medical services like check-ups and minor treatments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no deductibles for routine care, reducing patient costs and improving access to basic medical services like check-ups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 28, 2025

H 1326: An Act to ensure access to prescription medications

HD 2359 requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and health insurers to set maximum allowable costs for prescription drugs based on FDA ratings and the availability of equivalent drugs, ensuring these costs cover pharmacies' actual acquisition costs. The bill mandates transparency by requiring PBMs to share cost calculation details, updated cost lists (every 3 business days), and a clear appeals process for pharmacies to contest low reimbursement rates within 7 days. It prohibits retroactive discounts and ensures non-affiliated pharmacies receive equal reimbursement rates as affiliated ones. This law directly affects PBMs and insurers, aiming to improve pharmacy reimbursement and access to medications.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to 'ensure access to prescription medications,' directly improving patient access to essential healthcare services per support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1514: An Act relative to provider choice

By Mr. Driscoll, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1514) of William J. Driscoll, Jr. for legislation relative to provider choice and vaccines. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes patient provider choice in public health/vaccines, enhancing access to healthcare services per summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 886: An Act relative to family members serving as caregivers

This bill expands who qualifies as a "family member" eligible to be paid as a caregiver in MassHealth-funded home and community-based services. It specifically adds legally liable family members - such as biological/adoptive/foster/step parents, legal guardians, powers of attorney, and adult children - to the definition. The law requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to submit a state plan amendment or waiver to implement this change. It directly affects MassHealth programs that pay family caregivers, allowing more relatives to provide care while being compensated. The change applies to programs funded under Chapter 118E of Massachusetts law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses family caregiver roles under Health Care Financing, supporting patient access and care infrastructure within healthcare system.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 4, 2025

H 1369: An Act to strengthen supportive housing and reduce healthcare costs for low-income seniors

HD 3016 requires Massachusetts to fund supportive care services for low-income seniors aged 55+ living in qualifying rental housing projects. It mandates the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to pay housing sponsors $2,500 annually per MassHealth enrollee residing in projects with at least 50 units, where MassHealth residents are the majority and cluster contracting with homecare agencies is in place. The law also requires annual reports to the legislature tracking the number of Medicaid recipients in these projects and cost savings from the cluster contracting model. This directly affects qualifying senior housing projects and their residents enrolled in MassHealth.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to reduce healthcare costs for low-income seniors via supportive housing, directly improving access and affordability per healthcare topic indicators.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly strengthens supportive housing for low-income seniors, advancing affordable housing access through legislative action.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 695: An Act promoting consumer choice in health care

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 695) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation relative to health insurance coverage by athletic trainers. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands health insurance coverage for athletic trainers' services, promoting consumer choice in healthcare access as a support indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2388: An Act to encourage, and improve the level of availability of physicians

HD 3870 establishes a Massachusetts Physicians Scholarship Program (PSP) that covers tuition costs for up to 10 years for medical students enrolled in accredited programs within the state. In exchange, recipients must commit to four years of full-time work in a Massachusetts healthcare facility after graduation. The program targets medical students to address physician shortages by incentivizing training and retention within the state, with annual reporting required to the Department of Public Health. It directly affects medical students seeking education in Massachusetts and healthcare facilities needing qualified physicians.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to improve physician availability under Public Health, directly enhancing healthcare access and provider supply per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 16, 2026

H 1379: An Act exempting medications used for the treatment of opioid use disorder from the prior approval process under the Massachusetts Medicaid program

This bill exempts medications used to treat opioid use disorder from prior authorization requirements under Massachusetts Medicaid. It directly affects Medicaid patients seeking these specific treatments and healthcare providers prescribing them. The key change modifies the definition of "Step Therapy Protocol" to explicitly exclude opioid use disorder medications, ensuring they are covered without needing separate approval from the state health division. This removes administrative barriers for accessing critical treatment options.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves prior approval barrier for opioid treatment medications under Medicaid, directly improving patient access to critical healthcare services for substance use disorder.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 1351: An Act ensuring equal access to medical treatments essential for people with a developmental disability, intellectual disability, or autism

This bill (HD 1026) requires the Division to cover medically necessary habilitative and rehabilitative treatments for adults aged 21+ who have developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or autism spectrum disorder and are covered under Chapter 118E. It mandates coverage for treatments like applied behavior analysis (provided by licensed professionals) and both dedicated and non-dedicated communication devices (including tablets), as determined medically necessary by a licensed physician or psychologist. The policy directly affects eligible adults with these diagnoses, ensuring state-funded access to specific therapies and assistive devices previously not guaranteed under the existing coverage. It does not change eligibility criteria but expands required coverage for defined treatments and devices.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures equal access to essential medical treatments for people with disabilities, directly improving patient access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 20, 2026

H 1360: An Act relative to preventing discrimination against persons with disabilities in the provision of health care

HD 2485 prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in Massachusetts healthcare. It bans healthcare providers and entities from denying lifesaving treatment or prioritizing care based on assumptions about a person's quality of life or "worth" due to disability, or using metrics that value lives with disabilities less than others. The law specifically prohibits conditioning treatment on having a "Do Not Resuscitate" order or advance directive, while allowing consideration of short-term survival likelihood in crisis care. This applies to all public and private healthcare entities in Massachusetts, ensuring equal access to treatment regardless of disability.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents discrimination against disabled patients in healthcare access, directly protecting patient rights under healthcare policies.95% confidence

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