Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · House May 22, 2025

H 1376: An Act relative to the operating budgets of health care oversight agencies

HD 637 limits annual increases in assessments paid by health care providers and manufacturers. It caps the total assessed amount for acute hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, non-hospital providers, pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy benefit managers, and surcharge payors at no more than the annual health care cost growth benchmark approved by the health policy commission. This applies to both the Health Care Cost Containment Commission (Section 6) and the Health Policy Commission (Section 7). The bill directly affects these entities by restricting how much their mandatory assessments can rise each year.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses operating budgets for healthcare oversight agencies, indicating funding support for healthcare administration and oversight functions.90% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 905: An Act to improve health care cost accountability

This bill establishes a standardized metric called the "Weighted Average Payer Rate" (WAPR) to measure healthcare payment rates. WAPR calculates a single average payment rate for hospitals and physician organizations by combining revenue from Commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid payers, weighted by each payer's share of total patient revenue. The bill requires these providers to report their WAPR annually, and mandates public hearings to analyze how WAPR trends relate to overall healthcare cost growth in Massachusetts. This data will inform oversight of healthcare costs, reimbursement levels, and system efficiency without changing current payment structures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves healthcare cost accountability, enhancing financial management and efficiency in healthcare financing systems.85% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 1384: An Act updating the health care cost growth benchmark and associated market oversight activities

By Representative Lawn of Watertown, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1384) of John J. Lawn, Jr. relative to health care cost growth benchmark and associated market oversight activities. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill updates health care cost growth benchmark and market oversight, aiming to manage costs and improve affordability, aligning with supporting health care access and reducing financial barriers.70% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 896: An Act to prohibit inappropriate use of the health care cost growth benchmark

This bill (SD 78) limits healthcare providers' ability to negotiate rate increases with insurance companies that exceed the state-established health care cost growth benchmark. It directly affects hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers when they seek higher payments from insurance carriers. The key provision adds a new requirement to existing law, prohibiting rate increases above the benchmark defined in Chapter 6D, Section 9 of the General Laws. This creates a concrete cap on negotiated payment increases for healthcare services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents misuse of healthcare cost benchmark that could restrict funding or services, protecting healthcare program integrity.85% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 873: An Act relative to hospital closures and health planning

This bill establishes a new Health Planning Council within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to develop and update a statewide health plan every two years. The council, including state agency leaders and governor-appointed members, must assess regional healthcare needs across 15 planning areas using data on chronic disease, population, and resources, while requiring public input through hearings and online comments. It strengthens oversight of hospital closures by mandating hospitals report proposed closures to the Department of Public Health, triggering a review by the Health Policy Commission, and requires the Center for Health Information and Analysis to identify hospitals in financial distress every 120 days. These provisions directly affect hospitals, healthcare providers, state agencies, and the public by creating structured processes for planning, transparency, and intervention around hospital sustainability.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses hospital closures and health planning to maintain healthcare access and infrastructure, directly supporting patient access and facility stability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 865: An Act expanding the moral obligation bond program to acute care hospitals

By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 865) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation to expand the moral obligation bond program to acute care hospitals. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands moral obligation bonds for acute care hospital infrastructure funding, directly advancing healthcare facility investment under Health Care Financing.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House May 22, 2025

H 1372: An Act to improve health care cost accountability

HD 3711 establishes a new metric called the "Weighted Average Payer Rate" (WAPR) to measure how much hospitals and physician groups are paid across different insurance types (Commercial, Medicare, Medicaid). It requires hospitals and physician organizations to report their WAPR annually, calculated by weighting revenue per service (inpatient and outpatient) by their actual payer mix. The data must be included in annual reports to the health commission, which will use it during public hearings to analyze cost trends and reimbursement levels across the health care system. This bill directly affects hospitals, physician groups, and the health commission by mandating transparency in payment rates for cost accountability purposes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill aims to improve healthcare cost accountability, suggesting efficiency measures to strengthen system without explicit funding cuts or coverage restrictions.85% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2376: An Act to protect medical freedom

This bill prohibits public entities (like schools, hospitals, and government agencies) and private employers from mandating medical procedures, including vaccinations, through penalties, exclusion, or coercion. It allows public schools to require FDA-approved vaccines with a 3-year full approval history, while permitting religious and conscientious exemptions. Private employers may only require such vaccines if the vaccine has full FDA approval for at least three years, and they face civil liability for violations causing injury, medical costs, or job loss. The Attorney General and individuals can enforce the law through lawsuits, and the public health department must educate citizens about their rights and exemptions.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill opposes mandatory medical procedures/vaccinations, restricting public health mandates under 'medical freedom'90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 30, 2026

S 734: An Act ensuring access to specialty medications

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 734) of James B. Eldridge for legislation to ensure access to medications. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly ensures access to specialty medications, directly improving patient access to critical treatments under healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 724: An Act promoting healthcare access and affordability for patients

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 724) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to promote healthcare access and affordability for patients. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTitle and summary explicitly promote healthcare access and affordability, directly aligning with support indicators like improving patient access and reducing costs.95% confidence

Track