Healthcare

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 23, 2026

H 4944: An Act relative to emergency insulin access

H 4944 allows pharmacists to dispense insulin in emergency situations without immediate prescription authorization. It defines an "emergency situation" as one where a patient cannot quickly obtain a doctor's approval, and requires pharmacists to use their professional judgment to determine if insulin is essential to prevent harm. The bill limits emergency insulin dispensing to a 30-day supply (or standard unit size if larger) and prohibits repeat dispensing to the same patient more than once every six months. This directly affects patients facing urgent insulin needs and pharmacists who may provide this emergency care under these specific guidelines. The law amends multiple sections of state law to include this emergency access provision.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables pharmacists to provide emergency insulin without immediate prescription, improving patient access to essential medication during critical situations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 4897: An Act improving access to community behavioral health centers

H 4897 requires most health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover "behavioral health bundled services" from licensed community behavioral health centers on equal terms. This applies to group insurance for Commonwealth employees (active and retired), individual accident/sickness policies, hospital service plans, and health maintenance contracts. The bill mandates that these plans provide nondiscriminatory coverage for medically necessary mental health, developmental, or substance use disorder care delivered through defined community centers. It directly affects insured individuals and insurers by standardizing coverage requirements across multiple insurance types. The law applies to policies issued or renewed within or outside Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance coverage for behavioral health services, expanding access to mental health care under Massachusetts law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Mental Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 30, 2026

H 4936: An Act to improve child and adolescent mental health services

This bill (H 4936) standardizes the definition of "licensed mental health professional" across multiple Massachusetts health care statutes. It explicitly includes psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, nurse specialists, and educational psychologists within their scope of practice. The change applies to laws governing mental health services, insurance coverage, and health care financing (specifically Chapters 32A, 175, 176A, 176B, and 176G). This procedural update ensures consistent terminology for providers and services, directly affecting how mental health care is regulated and accessed in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStandardizes mental health professional scope, expands coverage under insurance/financing statutes, directly improving access to services for children/adolescents.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Insurance Mental Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 27, 2026

H 4957: An Act relative to IUD pain management coverage

This bill requires most health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover pain management during IUD insertion with no out-of-pocket costs for patients. It applies to state employee group insurance (Chapter 32A), Medicaid plans (Chapter 118E), private accident/sickness insurance (Chapter 175), and hospital service plans (Chapter 176A). The law mandates coverage for specific methods like IV sedation, nitrous oxide, or topical anesthesia without deductibles, copays, or unreasonable delays, and extends benefits to covered spouses and dependents. Religious exemptions for church employers are included, requiring written notice to enrollees about excluded services. The bill directly affects insurance providers and enrollees using these coverage types for IUD procedures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no-cost coverage for IUD pain management, expanding access to reproductive healthcare services without financial barriers or delays.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Medicaid

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 7, 2026

H 4881: An Act relative to adjunct faculty in public higher education

This bill requires the state to cover health insurance premiums for qualifying adjunct faculty at public higher education institutions. It defines eligible faculty as those teaching at least two 3-credit courses per semester (or four annually), regardless of funding source or employment term. The state will gradually increase its share of premium costs over five years, starting at 25% in the first year and reaching 75% by the sixth year. A working group must study adjunct faculty retirement benefits, compensation, and career pathways, reporting findings by December 2026. The bill directly affects adjunct faculty at state universities, community colleges, and UMass campuses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates state funding for adjunct faculty health insurance premiums, expanding coverage access through direct subsidy of premiums.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides state-funded health insurance for adjunct faculty, expanding employment benefits and protecting workers' rights through mandatory coverage for eligible staff.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 27, 2026

H 5013: An Act to establish a celiac disease screening pilot program

By Representative Badger of Plymouth, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michelle L. Badger and Joan B. Lovely for legislation to establish a celiac disease screening pilot program for certain children. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes celiac screening pilot under public health, improving early detection access - directly advances healthcare services95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 29, 2026

H 4939: An Act to facilitate timely access to quality health care by expanding access to patient navigation

H 4939 requires health insurers and Medicaid plans to cover patient navigation services provided by certified community health workers. These services help patients access care by addressing chronic disease prevention, social needs screenings, health education, and overcoming barriers like language or health literacy. The bill mandates reimbursement for workers with national certification or approved training, effective January 1, 2026. It directly affects Medicaid-eligible patients and community health workers by expanding access to coordinated care support. The law also directs the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to secure federal funding for implementation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers/Medicaid to cover patient navigation services, expanding access for Medicaid-eligible patients by addressing barriers like language and health literacy, improving healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 27, 2026

H 4961: An Act to increase access to healthcare for ostomy patients

This bill requires health insurers to cover all medical supplies for ostomy care (including management of surgically created or spontaneous fistulas) without forcing patients to use non-medical alternatives. It mandates that insurers transfer ostomy care records within 72 hours when patients switch coverage, ensures suppliers are reimbursed at Medicare rates, and extends prescriptions for these supplies to at least one year with no disruption in coverage. The law also requires suppliers to provide one month's advance notice before changing products, including samples for trial, and guarantees patients can return to their original product if substitutions compromise care. These provisions directly affect ostomy patients, healthcare providers, and insurers across Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurer coverage of ostomy supplies without alternatives, ensures record transfers during coverage changes, and guarantees continuous access - directly expanding healthcare access and protecting patient rights for a specific medica...95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

H 4959: An Act relative to health insurance coverage for hearing aids

This bill requires most health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover hearing aids for insured residents. It mandates coverage for one hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear every 36 months, based on a physician's written statement of medical necessity, with coverage extending to the best-fit device (regardless of brand) and related services like fittings, adjustments, and repairs. The law caps patient copayments at $200 per hearing aid and prohibits higher deductibles or out-of-pocket costs than for other durable medical equipment. It applies to all group and individual health insurance policies, including non-group plans, ensuring consistent coverage for people with hearing loss.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates health insurance coverage for hearing aids with cost caps, expanding access and protecting patients from high out-of-pocket costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 30, 2026

H 4896: An Act for supportive care for serious mental illness

H 4896 requires qualifying student health insurance plans to cover two specific mental health treatment programs: "Coordinated Specialty Care" for first-time psychosis (within 74 weeks) and "Assertive Community Treatment" for serious mental illness or emotional disturbance. It directly affects young people under 19 with serious emotional disturbance and adults 19+ with serious mental illness by mandating insurance coverage for these services without visit limits. Key provisions include requiring insurers to pay for these treatments through a bundled payment model (not per-service fees) and presuming medical necessity after a licensed professional's recommendation. The bill defines these terms to ensure consistent coverage under state insurance regulations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for two mental health programs without visit limits, expanding access for youth and adults with serious mental illness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

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