Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2559: An Act to protect a patient’s right to a support person at health care facilities

This bill (HD 2387) gives patients the right to have a support person of their choice present during medical care. Patients receiving inpatient or outpatient treatment can have their chosen support person with them 24 hours a day in accessible areas of health care facilities, including during consultations with providers. Health care facilities may temporarily restrict this during surgeries or emergencies but cannot require the support person to be vaccinated to access the patient. The law directly affects all patients at health care facilities by ensuring consistent access to chosen support during treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly protects patient rights to have support persons at healthcare facilities, advancing patient access and rights in healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 871: An Act ensuring equal access to medical treatments essential for people with a developmental disability, intellectual disability, or autism

SD 924 requires state health coverage to pay for medically necessary habilitative and rehabilitative treatments for adults aged 21+ with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or autism spectrum disorder. The bill mandates coverage for treatments like applied behavior analysis (provided by licensed professionals) and both dedicated and non-dedicated communication devices (including medically necessary tablets). Coverage applies only to individuals already receiving state health coverage under Chapter 118E, with diagnoses confirmed by licensed physicians or psychologists. This policy change directly expands access to essential, evidence-based care for a specific group of adults with qualifying disabilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates MassHealth coverage for essential treatments for developmental/disability conditions, expanding insurance coverage and improving access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 899: An Act relative to hospital profit and fairness

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 899) of Michael O. Moore and James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to hospital profit and fairness. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill targets hospital profit regulation to ensure fairness in healthcare financing, aligning with patient access and protection indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 846: An Act to extend enhanced Medicaid benefits to eligible hospitals

By Mr. Cronin, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 846) of John J. Cronin for legislation relative to the sustainability of high public payer community hospitals. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends enhanced Medicaid benefits to community hospitals, increasing funding and access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 853: An Act preserving and protecting public health

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 853) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to preserve and protect public health. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to 'preserve and protect public health' with 'Health Care Financing' subject, aligning with support indicators like strengthening public health protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1526: An Act putting patients over profits in hospital licensure

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1526) of James B. Eldridge for legislation to put patients over profits in hospital licensure. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prioritizes patient interests over hospital profits in licensure, strengthening patient care standards under Public Health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medical Licensing Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 20, 2026

H 1393: An Act to promote graduate medical education

This bill requires MassHealth (Massachusetts' Medicaid program) to fund graduate medical education payments for residency and training programs in community-based settings, specifically targeting primary care, behavioral health, and areas with physician shortages. It directly affects community health centers, family medicine nurse practitioners, dentists, and dental hygienists by making them eligible for these payments. Key provisions mandate MassHealth to seek maximum federal reimbursement, develop implementing rules within 180 days, prioritize placements in community settings serving high public payer populations, and consult with the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. The policy changes focus on expanding access to training in underserved healthcare areas through targeted funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds MassHealth payments for graduate medical education training, directly supporting healthcare workforce development and financing.90% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 4333: An Act relative to consumer deductibles

This bill (H 4333) requires health insurers to calculate enrollees' out-of-pocket costs more transparently. Specifically, it mandates that all cost-sharing payments (like deductibles and copays) made by or on behalf of an enrollee must be fully applied toward their total annual out-of-pocket obligation at the time services are provided. It also clarifies that insurers must include all covered health care services within essential health benefits categories when calculating annual cost-sharing limits. The law applies to health plans entered into, amended, extended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, directly affecting insurers and enrollees in Massachusetts health plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates transparent cost-sharing calculations, ensuring payments fully apply toward annual deductibles, improving consumer clarity and access to healthcare costs.85% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 4, 2025

H 4343: An Act ensuring access to full spectrum pregnancy care

This bill amends multiple health insurance laws to expand access to midwifery services and clarify coverage for pregnancy care. It updates definitions in chapters 32A, 118E, 175, 176A, 176B, and 176G to include "licensed certified professional midwives" alongside existing providers and removes language restricting coverage for "abortion or abortion-related care" in insurance plans. The changes require health insurers, health plans, and Medicaid managed care organizations to comply with these updated coverage standards. The bill directly affects health insurance plans subject to these chapters, ensuring broader access to midwifery services and removing prior exclusions for abortion-related care within pregnancy coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands midwifery coverage and removes abortion-related care restrictions, directly increasing access to pregnancy services under insurance mandates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 15, 2026

H 4336: An Act relative to insurance coverage of mobile integrated health

This bill (H 4336) requires health insurers and Medicaid programs to cover medical, behavioral, and health services provided through mobile integrated health care programs approved by the Department of Public Health, on the same terms as in-person care at health facilities. It prohibits insurers from denying coverage, reducing payments, or imposing higher out-of-pocket costs (like deductibles or copays) for these mobile services compared to facility-based care. The law applies to group insurance plans, Medicaid managed care organizations, private health insurance policies, and employer health funds. It directly affects insurers, healthcare providers offering mobile services, and patients using these programs, ensuring equitable access without financial penalties for mobile delivery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance coverage for mobile health services, preventing higher costs or denials compared to in-person care, expanding access to healthcare options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Telehealth

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