Healthcare

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 5019: An Act relative to access to health care

This bill requires Massachusetts state employee health plans and Medicaid programs to cover stuttering speech therapy as either habilitative (helping develop skills) or rehabilitative (restoring lost skills) services. It mandates coverage without annual visit limits, restrictions based on the cause of stuttering, or prior authorization. The law also requires coverage for both in-person and telehealth speech therapy services, including all necessary technology compliant with privacy laws. It directly affects Commonwealth employees, retirees, and Medicaid recipients by ensuring access to this specific therapy without typical insurance barriers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid/state plans to cover stuttering therapy without visit limits or restrictions, expanding access to speech therapy services as required healthcare coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Telehealth

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

H 5045: An Act ensuring transparency in the practice of dental leased networks

This bill (H 5045) requires transparency for dental networks leased by third-party insurers. It mandates that Provider Network Entities (which manage dental provider networks) must provide dentists with written notices listing all insurance plans (Third-Party Health Plans) accessing their network, including specific fee schedules and administrative policies. Third-party Health Plans must also clearly inform patients when they use a leased network, report annually on patient usage per network, and maintain consistent quality standards across all networks they access. The law directly affects dentists participating in leased networks, insurers leasing networks, and patients receiving dental care through these arrangements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires transparency for dental insurance networks, protecting patient rights and improving access to dental care through clear fee schedules and network information.85% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 7, 2026

H 4882: An Act to support college students in recovery

This bill allows public colleges with at least 25% of undergraduates in on-campus housing to create substance-free dormitory programs for students in recovery from addiction. These programs must provide on-site counseling, peer support, and trauma-informed services to help students maintain sobriety. Colleges are required to train staff on using overdose reversal drugs (opioid antagonists) and make them accessible to trained personnel during emergencies. Institutions may seek grants to fund these programs, with the state higher education and public health departments providing implementation guidance.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates substance-free dorm programs with counseling/services for student recovery, enhancing educational access and support in higher education through funding and staff training.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates substance-free dorms with on-site counseling, peer support, and overdose reversal training - directly advancing mental health services and emergency care access for students in recovery.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Public Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 2825: An Act establishing the program of all-inclusive care for the elderly.

Senate, December 31, 2025 -- The committee on Aging and Independence to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 477) of Robyn K. Kennedy, Joanne M. Comerford and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to establish the program of all-inclusive care for the elderly, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2825).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes all-inclusive care program for elderly, expanding comprehensive healthcare access and services for seniors without restrictions.95% confidence

Tags Seniors

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 2852: An Act relative to a healthier, stronger Massachusetts

Senate, January 15, 2026 -- The committee on Public Health to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1597) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative to a healthier, stronger Massachusetts in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2852).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill title and pandemic context imply health improvement focus; referred to Public Health committee, aligning with healthcare support indicators without explicit opposition.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 4927: An Act to relative to protecting access to applied behavior analysis services in schools

By Representative O'Day of West Boylston, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of James J. O'Day relative to access to applied behavior analysis services in schools. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects access to applied behavior analysis services in schools, directly advancing educational access for students with special needs within K-12 settings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects school access to applied behavior analysis (ABA), a mental health therapy, directly aligning with healthcare support indicators for patient access to services.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2026

H 4993: An Act requiring automated external defibrillators at sporting events

This bill requires public stadiums, sports centers, gymnasiums, and similar facilities hosting sporting events to have at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) on-site during all events. It also mandates that at least one trained employee or volunteer (having completed certified CPR and AED training) be present during events, with clear signage showing AED locations. The requirement excludes school-sponsored athletic events held in school gyms. Facilities must follow established guidelines for AED placement, training, and public announcements to identify trained personnel if needed.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires AEDs and trained personnel at public events to improve emergency cardiac care access, enhancing public health safety measures without direct funding or coverage expansion.85% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 31, 2026

H 4946: An Act mandating access to cancer screenings for firefighters through health care benefits plans or programs provided by the public employer

This bill requires public employers (such as state, city, or fire district departments) to provide full-time firefighters with free cancer screenings every three years, starting three years after they begin working as firefighters. It covers screenings for 11 specific cancers including colon, lung, bladder, and prostate, with all costs paid by the employer's health plan - no co-pays or deductibles required. The mandate applies to firefighters in municipal departments, the Massachusetts Military Reservation, the 104th Fighter Wing, and Devens fire departments. The only exception is if the employer's health plan is federally tax-exempt and would lose that status without cost-sharing, though this is uncommon.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates public employers to cover cancer screening costs, increasing government spending on firefighter health programs without tax changes.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates free cancer screenings via employer health plans, eliminating out-of-pocket costs and expanding access to preventive care for firefighters.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates free cancer screenings for firefighters, enhancing workplace safety and expanding health benefits without worker cost, directly protecting high-risk workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 22, 2026

H 4870: An Act to protect Massachusetts public health from PFAS

This bill creates a PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to address contamination in Massachusetts drinking water, groundwater, soil, and other environmental media. It directly affects communities with PFAS pollution, including vulnerable environmental justice areas, private well owners, and public water systems. The fund provides grants for PFAS treatment, remediation, and outreach programs, prioritizing communities with limited resources. Money comes from settlements with PFAS manufacturers, other grants, and interest, with strict rules requiring repayment if responsible parties are later identified.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to address water/soil contamination, prioritizing vulnerable communities and environmental justice areas through manufacturer settlements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly creates PFAS remediation fund to protect public health from environmental contamination, directly preventing health risks linked to water/soil pollution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Environmental Justice Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 4900: An Act related to comprehensive clinical and extended support services

This bill defines "transitional support services" as short-term residential care following clinical stabilization for addiction recovery, and requires insurers to cover medically necessary acute treatment, clinical stabilization, and transitional support services without preauthorization. It applies directly to Commonwealth employees (active/retired) under group insurance, Medicaid managed care plans, and private insurers offering "creditable coverage" under Chapter 111M. Key provisions include a 30-day coverage limit for transitional services, 48-hour facility notification to insurers after admission, and restrictions on utilization reviews (which can only begin after day 14 and cannot deny future care without 30 consecutive days of service). Medical necessity is determined by treating clinicians, not insurers, with coverage mandated for substance use disorder evaluations under Section 51½ of Chapter 111.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to cover addiction recovery services without preauthorization, expanding coverage and improving access to mental health care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Substance Abuse

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