Healthcare (Public Health)

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 1, 2026

H 5192: An Act authorizing the division of capital asset management and maintenance to take by eminent domain certain land in the town of Norwood

This bill authorizes the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to use eminent domain to acquire specific land parcels in Norwood owned by MPT of Norwood-Steward, LLC. The acquired land includes Norwood Hospital and any adjacent properties needed to support the project. After acquisition, the Division will transfer control of the land to the Department of Public Health, which will then assign it to a qualified nonprofit hospital operator. The stated goal is to ensure public access to healthcare, and the bill applies specifically to the town of Norwood and the named property owner.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables acquisition of Norwood Hospital land to ensure public access and transfer to nonprofit operator, directly supporting healthcare infrastructure and access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

H 5303: An Act expanding access to perimenopause and menopause care

This bill creates a special legislative commission to study perimenopause and menopause care across Massachusetts, with 19 members representing diverse health, community, and advocacy organizations. The commission will collect data on care access and disparities, evaluate insurance coverage and treatment options, identify gaps in medical education for providers, and submit a report with recommendations by December 2027. Additionally, the state Department of Public Health will develop public education materials in multiple languages about menopause symptoms and treatments, provide training for healthcare workers, and support research on causes and therapies. The bill also establishes September as Perimenopause Awareness Month to increase public understanding of this life stage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates commission to study and improve perimenopause/menopause care access, evaluate insurance coverage, and identify gaps in medical education, directly advancing healthcare access and quality.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 11, 2026

H 5091: An Act relative to health care quality for children and youth

H 5091 requires the state bureau providing medical services to children and youth in the care of the Department of Children and Families to follow MassHealth and Department of Public Health pediatric care standards. This includes ensuring access to mental health, physical health, preventative care, and health promotion services. The bill also mandates the bureau to monitor medical contracts to improve both access to care and the quality of services for these children. It directly affects children in state custody by establishing concrete health care standards and oversight mechanisms.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires pediatric care standards compliance, mandates access to mental/physical health services, and monitors contracts to improve care quality for children.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Mental Health Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 5089: An Act to close the achievement gap by addressing disparities in children's vision

This bill creates a Children's Vision and Eye Health Advisory Council within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to advise on vision programs and recommend improvements. It also establishes a statewide confidential registry where healthcare providers must report children's vision screening results and follow-up care, with strict privacy protections limiting data sharing to authorized healthcare providers, school nurses, and specific state agencies. The registry will track screening data to address vision disparities affecting students, particularly in underserved communities, and allow parents to correct errors or view access records. The law amends school health screening requirements to include this registry system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes vision programs and registry to address student health disparities affecting learning, directly advancing K-12 educational outcomes by closing achievement gaps through health intervention.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a registry and council to improve children's vision screening follow-up, enhancing health services for children's vision care.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates a confidential registry with strict privacy protections for health data, directly advancing data privacy (a technology topic) through mandated safeguards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

H 5021: An Act to expand the doula workforce

H 5021 creates the Maternal Health Justice Fund to expand the doula workforce in Massachusetts. The fund, managed by the Department of Public Health, will provide scholarships for doula certification (prioritizing historically marginalized groups, low-income individuals, and underserved areas), support community doula programs, and fund workforce development. It requires certification programs to teach clinical knowledge (like anatomy and labor support), health equity, anti-racism, trauma-informed care, and cultural competence. The bill directly affects pregnant individuals, birth parents, and doulas by increasing access to non-medical support during pregnancy and postpartum.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds doula certification and programs to expand maternal health services, targeting underserved communities, directly advancing healthcare access and equity.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds doula certification scholarships, workforce development, and prioritizes marginalized groups in employment, directly advancing labor/employment opportunities in maternal healthcare sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 5037: An Act relative to the sustainability of public health dental hygienists through adequate reimbursements

This bill (H 5037) changes reimbursement rules for public health dental hygienists in Massachusetts. It removes a restriction that previously prevented Medicaid from seeking payment from other insurers or third-party payors for dental services provided by these hygienists. The key provision allows Medicaid to pursue secondary payments from other insurers, aiming to improve funding stability for public health dental hygiene programs. This directly affects dental hygienists working in public health settings who rely on Medicaid reimbursement. The goal is to make their services more financially sustainable by expanding potential funding sources.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves Medicaid reimbursement restriction to secure secondary payments, stabilizing funding for public health dental hygiene programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 22, 2026

H 5040: An Act relative to PANDAS/PANS screening in medical/clinical settings

This bill requires healthcare providers and facilities in Massachusetts to screen children for PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) and PANS (Pediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) during routine care. It mandates that all physicians, child psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and mental health counselors screen patients using evidence-based protocols developed by the Department of Public Health. Healthcare facilities serving children must ensure these screenings occur at specified intervals. The bill also requires the Department to establish clinical criteria for diagnosis and develop implementing regulations within 180 days. The screening requirement applies to all medical and clinical settings treating children.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates screening for PANDAS/PANS in routine care, advancing early detection and treatment of neuropsychiatric conditions under healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Mental Health Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 26, 2026

H 5087: An Act regulating the operation of medical spas

By Representative Peisch of Wellesley, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Alice Hanlon Peisch for legislation to regulate the operation of medical spas. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates medical spas under Public Health to ensure safety standards, aligning with healthcare service protection and patient safety goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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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 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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