Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 1389: An Act relative to state funding of certain nonprofits

By Representative McKenna of Sutton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1389) of Joseph D. McKenna for legislation to prohibit the use of state funds for Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds Planned Parenthood by prohibiting state funding, restricting government spending on nonprofits under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareProhibits state funding for Planned Parenthood, a major healthcare provider, restricting access to reproductive health services and defunding a key public health initiative.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 8, 2026

H 1135: An Act for supportive care for serious mental illness

By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1135) of Marjorie C. Decker relative to healthcare insurance coverage for supportive care for serious mental illness. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates healthcare insurance coverage for supportive care in serious mental illness, expanding access to mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 4, 2025

H 1399: An Act relative to an individual Medicare marketplace option

By Representative Peisch of Wellesley, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1399) of Alice Hanlon Peisch relative to providing for an individual Medicare marketplace option. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates individual Medicare marketplace option, expanding coverage choices for beneficiaries under Health Care Financing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 310: An Act relative to mental health education

This bill (S 310) proposes requiring public schools to incorporate mental health education into their curricula. It directly affects school systems and students by mandating the inclusion of age-appropriate mental health topics. The key provision is a requirement for schools to develop and implement mental health education programs, though specific content details are not outlined in the abstract. The bill aims to address mental health awareness and education at the foundational level in schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mental health education in K-12 curricula, enhancing student well-being programs per bill's requirement95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health education in schools, directly supporting mental health awareness and prevention as part of healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 18, 2025

H 1296: An Act to protect 340B providers

H 1296, titled "An Act to protect 340B providers," is a bill introduced by Representative Sean Reid to support healthcare providers participating in the federal 340B drug pricing program, which allows safety-net providers to purchase medications at discounted rates. The abstract does not specify the bill's exact mechanisms or provisions, only stating it aims to protect these providers. It falls under the Financial Services committee, suggesting a focus on financial or operational safeguards. Without additional details from the full bill text, the specific policy changes or direct effects on providers cannot be described.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects 340B providers, ensuring safety-net healthcare facilities maintain discounted drug access for patients, directly strengthening healthcare affordability and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 18, 2025

H 1364: An Act relative to promoting healthcare access and affordability for patients

By Representative Fiola of Fall River, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1364) of Carole A. Fiola relative to healthcare access and affordability for patients. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly promotes healthcare access and affordability, directly aligning with support indicators like improving patient access and funding initiatives.95% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 4, 2025

H 4491: An Act relative to non-medical switching

This bill prevents health insurers from forcing patients to switch prescription drugs without medical necessity ("nonmedical switching"). It requires insurers to maintain coverage for drugs a patient is medically stable on (as determined by their doctor), unless the drug is removed due to FDA safety concerns or manufacturing issues. Insurers must provide a clear, fast-track process for patients to request coverage exemptions, responding within 72 hours (24 hours for emergencies), with automatic approval if they miss deadlines. The bill directly affects patients on stable prescription regimens and health insurers managing drug coverage under health benefit plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents insurers from forcing unnecessary drug switches, requires coverage maintenance for stable patients, and mandates fast-track exemptions, protecting patient access and rights in prescription coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 4492: An Act relative to patient financial protection

This bill requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts covering prescription drugs to establish a separate out-of-pocket limit for those drugs - including specialty drugs - distinct from other medical costs. The limit cannot exceed the federal minimum annual deductible for high-deductible health plans (set under IRS code 26 U.S.C. §223), which covers both self-only and family coverage. It defines "out-of-pocket limit" to include cost-sharing expenses like copays under the Affordable Care Act. The rule applies to all relevant health insurance policies renewed or issued on or after January 1, 2026, directly affecting insurers and patients with prescription drug coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires separate out-of-pocket limits for prescription drugs, capping patient costs to prevent excessive financial burden, aligning with patient protection in healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Aug 4, 2026

H 4493: An Act to ensure access to prescription medication and community pharmacies

This bill requires pharmacy benefit managers (insurance companies that manage drug benefits) to pay community pharmacies fairly for services, matching or exceeding Massachusetts Medicaid rates for both drug costs and dispensing fees. It prohibits "pharmacy steering" (directing prescriptions to pharmacies owned by the benefit manager) and mandates that all pharmacies, including community ones, can provide specialty medications if they meet standard service requirements. The bill also requires transparency in how drug costs are calculated and gives pharmacies a 7-day process to appeal underpayment claims. It directly affects community pharmacies, benefit managers, and patients seeking medication access, aiming to ensure equitable treatment for independent pharmacies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires fair PBM payments to community pharmacies, prohibits steering, and ensures specialty medication access - improving patient access to prescriptions and protecting community pharmacy viability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 4494: An Act prohibiting PBMs from discriminating against hospitals and patients participating in the 340B drug discount program

This bill prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from discriminating against hospitals and clinics participating in the federal 340B drug discount program. It specifically bans PBMs from paying lower rates for 340B drugs than non-340B drugs, charging extra fees for 340B participation, restricting network access based on 340B status, or imposing higher patient costs (like extra copays) when using 340B providers. The law directly affects safety-net hospitals, clinics, and their patients who rely on the 340B program to access discounted medications. It ensures these providers aren’t penalized for participating in the federal program through PBM billing practices.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits PBMs from discriminating against 340B hospitals/patients, preventing higher copays and ensuring lower drug costs for safety-net providers, directly improving access to affordable care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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