Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 31, 2025

H 238: An Act to provide a pilot program for low interest loans to families with a child suffering from a terminal illness

HD 1612 establishes a pilot program providing one-time, low-interest loans of up to $10,000 to 30 families in the Commonwealth caring for a child diagnosed with a terminal illness (defined as likely to cause death within six months). The loans, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, cover documented medical expenses directly related to the child's illness and carry an interest rate of 2% or the current rate (whichever is higher). Repayment begins one year after the loan is issued, with failure to pay triggering a 15% interest rate. Families must submit receipts for expenses, and the program is limited to a 30-participant pilot.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides low-interest loans for terminal illness care costs, improving access to healthcare services for affected families.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 718: An Act eliminating cost sharing for certain behavioral health services

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 718) of Julian Cyr for legislation to eliminate cost sharing for substance use disorder treatment services. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates cost sharing for substance use disorder treatment, improving access to behavioral health services and reducing patient financial barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 5, 2026

H 2169: An Act relative to worker compensation protections for certified medical cannabis patients and their caregivers

HD 1457 (Massachusetts) expands worker's compensation coverage to include medical cannabis for certified patients. It directly affects injured workers who are certified medical cannabis patients under Chapter 94I and their designated caregivers. The bill amends worker's compensation law (Chapter 152) to explicitly allow reimbursement for reasonable medical cannabis costs when provided to injured employees or their caregivers, as certified by a healthcare provider under medical cannabis law. This change updates existing coverage rules to include cannabis as a reimbursable service for qualifying cases, without altering medical cannabis eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects medical cannabis patients' access to healthcare by ensuring worker compensation coverage, aligning with 'protects patient rights' indicator.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly provides worker compensation protections for medical cannabis patients, advancing workplace rights under Labor and Workforce Development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation Workforce Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 4, 2025

H 2398: An Act to strengthen our public health infrastructure to address Alzheimer’s and all dementia

This bill creates a new Director of Dementia Care and Coordination within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to lead efforts addressing Alzheimer's and dementia. It requires the Department of Public Health to develop a public awareness campaign educating healthcare providers on early detection and the public on dementia risk factors, with specific focus on diverse communities at higher risk. The bill also mandates adding racial and ethnic disparity data to annual health reports and including dementia-related questions in the state's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. These provisions aim to improve dementia care coordination, data collection, and public health outreach for affected individuals and their caregivers across Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly strengthens public health infrastructure for Alzheimer's/dementia care, directly advancing public health programs and patient access as per healthcare indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 15, 2026

H 2372: An Act relative to collaborative drug therapy management optimization

This bill modifies Massachusetts law to expand collaborative drug therapy management in ambulatory care clinics. It allows pharmacists and physicians to jointly manage patient medications in clinics licensed under Chapter 111, provided two conditions are met: (1) a collaborating pharmacist works under direct supervision by both an attending physician and the pharmacist, and (2) the clinic’s medical staff committee or medical director approves the arrangement. The change directly affects ambulatory care clinics seeking to implement this team-based medication management model. It removes existing barriers by explicitly permitting this collaborative practice within the specified clinic setting.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareOptimizes collaborative drug therapy management under Public Health, enhancing patient care coordination and treatment efficacy without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2225: An Act relative to harm reduction and racial justice

This bill (HD 3020) changes Massachusetts drug laws to reduce criminal penalties for simple possession. It replaces citations for possession with written resource referrals and prohibits using drug possession alone to establish reasonable cause for a crime. It also automatically expunges past convictions under Chapter 94C, Section 32 (for simple possession) if the conduct would no longer be illegal after the bill's effective date, and requires courts to notify agencies to seal related records. This directly affects people convicted of simple drug possession before the bill's effective date. The law does not change penalties for drug-impaired driving (M.G.L. c. 90 § 24.171).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareHarm reduction and substance use recovery focus on expanding access to mental health services and treatment programs, aligning with healthcare support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1411: An Act to establish a perinatal behavioral health care workforce trust fund

SD 992 creates a Perinatal Behavioral Health Care Workforce Trust Fund to address shortages in mental and behavioral health providers specializing in perinatal care (during pregnancy and up to one year after birth). The fund provides grants to organizations for training programs aimed at growing and diversifying this workforce, with priority given to programs serving medically underserved populations or areas with racial, geographic, or health outcome disparities. Grantees must report annually on grant recipients, participant demographics (including race, gender, and zip code), and how programs impact workforce sustainability and healthcare shortages. This bill directly affects perinatal health providers and the communities they serve, particularly those facing systemic healthcare gaps.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes trust fund for perinatal behavioral health workforce, directly funding mental health services under specified subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 5, 2026

H 2122: An Act providing worker compensation protection to emergency response and medical personnel related to COVID-19 infection

This bill (HD 216) changes worker compensation rules for healthcare workers who contract COVID-19 on the job. It states that for any claim where an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19, it is automatically presumed they were performing regular duties, the claim is valid under the law, and proper notice was given. The law specifically covers healthcare employees and non-medical staff at hospitals, nursing homes, psychiatric facilities, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and at-home care workers. This shifts the burden of proof to employers in such claims, making it easier for these workers to receive compensation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides worker compensation for healthcare workers infected with COVID-19, protecting workforce stability during pandemic.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides worker compensation protection for medical personnel exposed to COVID-19, advancing workplace safety and benefits for essential workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1598: An Act establishing a special commission to find the best practices to promote education, awareness, and prevention of Lyme disease

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1598) of Patrick M. O'Connor and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to establish a special commission to find the best practices to promote education, awareness, and prevention of Lyme disease. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes public health commission for Lyme disease prevention/awareness, directly advancing healthcare through disease prevention education and public health program promotion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Aug 4, 2026

H 4335: An Act relative to cognitive rehabilitation for individuals with an acquired brain injury

H 4335 requires Massachusetts' Group Insurance Commission to cover medically necessary cognitive rehabilitation services for Commonwealth employees (active and retired) with an acquired brain injury (ABI). The bill mandates coverage for specific therapies including cognitive rehabilitation therapy, neurocognitive therapy, community reintegration services, and neurofeedback therapy, without lifetime or unreasonable annual limits. It prohibits insurers from denying coverage solely because services occur outside a hospital and requires insurers to train staff on these benefits. The law also specifies that providers must hold appropriate licenses and accreditation for these services. This directly affects Commonwealth employees with ABI by ensuring comprehensive insurance coverage for their rehabilitation needs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage for cognitive rehab therapies without limits, expanding healthcare access for ABI patients and protecting coverage rights per bill's requirements.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates coverage of cognitive rehab for state employees, expanding health benefits without coverage limits, directly supporting worker health and employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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