Healthcare

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 29, 2026

H 4616: An Act improving the health insurance prior authorization process

H 4616 requires health insurance companies in Massachusetts to publicly list all medical services, drugs, and procedures needing pre-approval (prior authorization) on their websites. Insurers must also report annual data on approval/denial rates, processing times, and appeal outcomes in a standardized format. The bill prevents insurers from denying coverage for services already approved or denying claims over minor administrative errors (unless fraud is proven), and bans retrospective denials unless fraud occurred. This directly affects insurers, healthcare providers, and patients by making the authorization process more transparent and reducing unexpected coverage denials.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to disclose prior auth requirements and prevent unjust denials, improving patient access and protecting rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 23, 2026

H 1173: An Act to facilitate timely access to quality health care by expanding access to patient navigation

HD 1895 requires health insurers, Medicaid, and managed care organizations to cover "patient navigation services" provided by certified community health workers. These services help patients access care by addressing barriers like language, health literacy, or social needs - such as screening for chronic diseases, connecting to social services, and supporting treatment adherence. The bill mandates reimbursement for certified workers and sets a 2026 implementation date for all new or renewed contracts. It directly affects community health workers, health insurers, and patients eligible for preventive care or treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands patient navigation services to improve access to screening/treatment, directly advancing healthcare access for eligible individuals.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 28, 2026

H 4162: An Act to increase access to healthcare for ostomy patients

HD 2829 requires all health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover all medical supplies for ostomy care at a minimum Medicare reimbursement rate, eliminating barriers like non-medical supply requirements. It mandates hospitals performing ostomy surgery to employ certified ostomy care specialists and provide follow-up outpatient care, while ensuring prescriptions for these supplies remain valid for at least one year without interruption. The bill also requires insurers to transfer patient ostomy care information to new insurers within 72 hours and provide one month's notice with samples before changing product substitutions. This directly benefits ostomy patients by improving access to consistent, uninterrupted care, while setting new standards for insurers, hospitals, and suppliers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to increase healthcare access for ostomy patients via insurance coverage expansion, directly advancing patient access and coverage under healthcare policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2192: An Act to promote high value and evidence-based behavioral health care

This bill creates two key mechanisms to address behavioral health care shortages in Massachusetts. First, it establishes an annual statewide committee to study current inpatient bed capacity (including specialized units for children, seniors, and those with complex needs) and estimate future needs by region, publishing reports with recommendations to reduce emergency department boarding. Second, it forms a special commission with health department leaders and industry representatives to review bed availability data, funding models, and develop recommendations for new payment structures to expand specialty behavioral health beds for adults and youth. The commission must submit findings and draft legislation within one year, focusing on increasing access to high-intensity care. The bill directly affects patients seeking behavioral health services, hospitals, and health care payers by requiring systematic analysis and policy recommendations to improve bed availability and funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly promotes evidence-based behavioral health care in mental health and substance use, directly advancing mental health services under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 2220: An Act relative to access to psychiatric collaborative care

This bill requires Massachusetts insurers and health plans to pay primary care providers at minimum rates equal to Medicare's standard rates for psychiatric collaborative care services, using specific billing codes (99492, 99493, 99494, and G2214). It directly affects primary care teams, psychiatric consultants, and insurers by mandating annual payment adjustments to match Medicare rates for these services. The bill specifies that these services must be paid on a fee-for-service basis, not included in bundled payments. This applies to Medicaid managed care organizations, private health insurers, and all health plans operating in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly provides healthcare coverage for psychiatric collaborative care under mental health services, directly advancing patient access to mental health treatment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 5, 2025

H 2205: An Act expanding loan repayment assistance for primary care physicians

HD 3491 expands a state loan repayment program to include family physicians, pediatricians, internal medicine doctors, and obstetricians/gynecologists. To qualify, primary care physicians must work with a significant number of public insurance patients (as defined by the health department), have outstanding student debt, not participate in other repayment programs, and sign a 4-year contract with the state. Part-time providers receive assistance proportional to their hours worked. The bill aims to support primary care access in public health settings by reducing financial barriers for qualifying doctors.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands loan repayment assistance for primary care physicians, increasing healthcare workforce access and provider availability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care Substance Abuse

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signed · Massachusetts · Senate Aug 7, 2025

S 2543: An Act strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth

Senate, June 26, 2025 -- Text of the Senate Bill strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth (Senate, No. 2543) (being the text of Senate, No. 2538, printed as amended).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill title explicitly states 'strengthening health care protections' with no ambiguity in language or intent.95% confidence

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 17, 2025

S 2588: An Act relative to culturally competent and effective health care

Senate, August 2025 -- The committee on Public Health to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1576) of Liz Miranda for legislation relative to culturally competent and effective health care, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No 2588).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePromotes culturally competent healthcare, improving patient access and care quality for diverse populations, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 16, 2026

H 1403: An Act to ensure equitable health coverage for children

HD 2862 establishes a new MassHealth program providing comprehensive health coverage to children and young adults under 21 in Massachusetts who are residents but cannot access standard Medicaid (Title XIX) or CHIP (Title XXI) benefits solely due to immigration status. It directly affects low-income immigrant youth who previously faced coverage barriers based on their immigration status. The bill mandates that benefits under this program be equivalent to those available under federal Medicaid/CHIP for similar income and age groups. Crucially, the program must maximize federal funding, but eligibility and benefits cannot be reduced if federal funds become unavailable.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to expand equitable health coverage for children, directly advancing access and strengthening public health funding for minors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 21, 2026

H 1417: An Act to advance health equity

HD 138 creates new definitions for "Health equity" and "Priority population" (communities facing health disparities) within Massachusetts health law. It requires state health agencies to appoint a chief health equity officer, integrate health equity into all agency duties, and establish specific expenditure targets for primary care and behavioral health services (a 30% increase above baseline through 2026). The bill mandates annual reports tracking health inequities, including data on costs of disparities and strategies to reduce them, and requires public hearings before setting new spending targets. These changes directly affect state health agencies, boards, and healthcare entities managing public health funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill title 'advance health equity' and summary directly target healthcare equity through financing, aligning with support indicators like improving access and equity.95% confidence

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