Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 485: An Act to establish safe staffing levels at skilled nursing facilities

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 485) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to establish safe staffing levels at skilled nursing facilities. Elder Affairs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates safe staffing levels at nursing facilities, directly improving patient care quality and safety in healthcare settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 4, 2026

H 277: An Act relative to cueing and supervision in the PCA program

HD 1111 expands eligibility for Massachusetts' Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program to include individuals who require supervision and cueing (verbal or physical prompts) to perform two or more basic daily tasks, such as bathing or dressing. This change directly affects people with disabilities who need this level of support but were previously excluded under program standards. The bill requires the state division overseeing the PCA program to update its regulations to explicitly include these individuals as eligible participants. It amends Chapter 118E of the General Laws to ensure the program standards cover this specific need. The policy change is a concrete adjustment to program eligibility criteria, not a new benefit.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses administration of PCA program under Medical Assistance, supporting healthcare service delivery for vulnerable populations through improved supervision protocols.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 774: An Act relative to prescription medication transfer and availability

This bill allows chain pharmacies to transfer prescriptions between locations within the same pharmacy chain under specific conditions. It directly affects patients who need medications out of stock at their usual pharmacy location and chain pharmacies. Key provisions require the medication to be out of stock at the original pharmacy, match the original prescription exactly, remain valid, be available at the receiving location, not exceed the original quantity, and include patient consent. Pharmacies may also offer a 60- or 90-day prescription extension during the transfer. The bill does not address non-chain pharmacies or generic drug costs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables prescription medication transfer, improving patient access to medications - a key healthcare access indicator.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 2211: An Act modernizing the six fundamental rights

This bill (HD 1551) updates rights for people in correctional or care facilities by modernizing existing provisions. It directly affects residents by adding access to video calls with transcription, personal devices (like phones/computers), email, and gender-affirming care items (e.g., binders, period products). Key mechanisms include requiring facilities to allow reasonable daily use of personal devices, enabling email communication, expanding visitor rights to include peer supporters/recovery coaches, and creating a fund from fines for facility improvements. Enforcement includes $100+ fines for repeated violations and new staff positions to handle complaints. The changes aim to align facility policies with current communication technology and inclusive care standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill modernizes rights for mental health service recipients, directly advancing mental health services under healthcare topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 15, 2026

H 1095: An Act to increase the Medicaid life insurance exemption

This bill increases the Medicaid exemption for permanent life insurance policies from the previous amount to $10,000 in face value for applicants and recipients. It specifically applies to whole life, universal life, and other permanent policies that accumulate cash value, while term life insurance (which has no cash value) remains excluded. The exemption will automatically adjust for inflation every five years using the Consumer Price Index, rounded to the nearest $100. The law also requires the Medicaid office to report every three years on the policy's financial impact and effects on beneficiary access to life insurance benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid eligibility by exempting more life insurance policies, expanding access to healthcare coverage for low-income individuals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 3410: An Act authorizing the University of Massachusetts Building Authority to purchase and construct a hospital in the town of Norwood to be operated by UMass Memorial Health Care, Inc

This bill authorizes the University of Massachusetts Building Authority to purchase or construct a hospital in Norwood, Massachusetts, to be operated by UMass Memorial Health Care, Inc. It amends state law to include Norwood as a location for the hospital and medical school campuses and permits the Authority to acquire land at 800 Washington Street through purchase or eminent domain. The bill also allows the Authority to issue bonds to fund construction and establishes rules for transferring the hospital's operations and assets to a nonprofit corporation, requiring it to remain nonprofit and notify the Attorney General before selling assets to for-profit entities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes construction of new hospital facility, expanding healthcare access and infrastructure under UMass Memorial Health Care, Inc.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 20, 2025

H 4612: An Act relative to the creation of an endometriosis task force

This bill creates a new endometriosis task force within Massachusetts' Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The task force, composed of health officials, medical associations, patient advocates, and industry representatives, must annually develop summaries on research and care access, monitor endometriosis services, and create a strategic plan with specific recommendations to improve diagnosis, treatment, and research. It requires the task force to submit annual reports to the governor and state legislators by December 31 each year. The bill directly affects individuals with endometriosis by establishing a formal process to address gaps in their care and research.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates task force to improve endometriosis diagnosis, treatment access, and research within health services, directly strengthening healthcare delivery.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 2417: An Act relative to medical sharps stewardship

HD 3144 requires drug manufacturers and program organizers to establish free disposal systems for sharps (like needles) and certain covered drugs, including opioids and benzodiazepines. It mandates two collection methods for drugs (such as mail-back kits or drop-off kiosks) and a specific prepaid mail-back system for sharps with detailed tracking and safety requirements. The bill prohibits charging consumers any fees for these disposal services and requires programs to comply with federal drug disposal and environmental regulations. This directly affects drug manufacturers and stewardship program organizers, not end-users, by creating standardized disposal infrastructure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes medical sharps stewardship under Public Health, preventing injuries and infections through proper disposal, aligning with public health protection goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 17, 2025

S 1592: An Act relative to updating the licensure of optometrists

S 1592 updates Massachusetts optometry licensure rules to modernize practice standards. It requires optometrists licensed before specific dates (1984, 1994, or 2021) to retake and pass exams by 2022 or 2025 to legally use certain eye medications (like glaucoma treatments and oral medications). The bill also clarifies that "practice of optometry" includes diagnosing related systemic conditions and adds requirements for annual continuing education and participation in state medical assistance programs. These changes directly affect older-licensed optometrists seeking to expand their scope of practice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates optometry licensure standards to modernize practice, requiring exams and CE for safe medication use and diagnosis, strengthening healthcare quality and provider competence.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 22, 2025

H 2109: An Act amending the Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave Law definitions of a covered business entity and a covered contract worker

This bill amends Massachusetts' Paid Family Medical Leave Law by updating key definitions. It redefines a "covered business entity" as any business where 50% or more of its workforce consists of non-employee contractors (not classified as employees under Chapter 151A). It also redefines a "covered contract worker" as an individual not classified as an employee who requires employers to contribute to the Family and Employment Security Trust Fund. These changes directly affect businesses using significant contractor labor and those contract workers now eligible for the leave program. The bill adjusts the legal definitions to expand eligibility under the existing leave law, without changing benefit amounts or core program rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAmends paid family leave definitions to expand coverage for more workers, increasing access to healthcare-related leave benefits under Massachusetts law.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAmends definitions to expand covered workers under paid family leave law, including contract workers, thereby protecting more employees' benefits and rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Workforce Development

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