Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2487: An Act relative to dental service quotes

HD 3362 requires dental providers (including dentists, hygienists, and assistants) to provide patients with a written cost estimate before performing any dental services, unless the patient waives this for a series of planned treatments. Patients who receive services without a quote can file a complaint with the Board of Registration in Dentistry. The Board must then investigate whether the services were medically necessary, and if not, report the violation to the Attorney General within three months. This bill directly affects dental offices and patients by increasing transparency around treatment costs and establishing a process for addressing billing disputes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires dental service quotes to improve patient cost transparency, enhancing access to dental care services under Public Health.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 21, 2026

H 3269: An Act establishing a transferable pediatric cancer research tax credit

This bill creates a tax credit for Massachusetts hospitals conducting pediatric cancer research, allowing them to claim credits for related expenses. Hospitals can sell (transfer) these credits to other individuals or businesses, which can then use them to reduce their own tax bills. The total credits issued yearly cannot exceed $10 million, and unused credits may be carried forward for up to three years. The credit becomes effective for tax years starting January 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes transferable tax credit for pediatric cancer research, providing tax relief and directing revenue toward medical research funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes tax credit for pediatric cancer research, directly funding medical research to advance healthcare outcomes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 2078: An Act relative to exempting certain medical supplies from the state sales tax

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2078) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to exempt certain medical supplies from the state sales tax. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts medical supplies from sales tax, providing tax relief for essential healthcare costs, aligning with support indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts medical supplies from sales tax, reducing costs for patients and providers, directly improving healthcare affordability and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 22, 2025

S 416: An Act providing opportunity for youth with substance use disorder

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 416) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to prove opportunity for youth with substance abuse needs. Education.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses youth with substance use disorder (a healthcare issue), aiming to provide opportunity (likely access to treatment/services), directly supporting mental health services per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 754: An Act relative to the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder

By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 754) of Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation to improve treatment and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to improve autism diagnosis/treatment, directly advancing healthcare services for a mental health condition under public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2543: An Act requiring hospital to maintain services

This bill requires licensed hospitals to maintain all services listed in their license. If a hospital must pause or divert patient services on three or more occasions in a single year due to inability to provide required services, the state health department must hold a public hearing in that community. The department then has the sole discretion to consider corrective actions, including revoking the hospital's license. This directly affects hospitals that repeatedly fail to meet their licensed service requirements. The law creates a specific process for addressing recurring service disruptions at healthcare facilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates hospitals maintain required services to prevent interruptions, directly strengthening patient access and continuity of care under Public Health, aligning with healthcare protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 5, 2026

H 1333: An Act to expand the doula workforce

This bill establishes the Maternal Health Justice Fund to expand access to doulas in Massachusetts. The fund, managed by the Department of Public Health, will provide scholarships for people seeking doula certification - prioritizing historically marginalized groups, low-income applicants, and those in areas with limited doula services - and support community-based doula programs and maternal health workforce development. It requires certification programs to meet specific competencies, including training on health equity, implicit bias, racism, and trauma-informed care. The fund will be financed through state appropriations and non-state sources like grants or donations, with unused funds carried forward annually.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands doula workforce to improve maternal health access, directly strengthening healthcare services and aligning with patient access indicators.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands doula workforce development, supporting employment standards by creating new occupational opportunities in healthcare support roles.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 29, 2025

H 1346: An Act to improve sickle cell care

This bill requires MassHealth (Massachusetts' Medicaid program) to seek federal approval by January 2024 to cover standard fertility preservation services for MassHealth enrollees diagnosed with sickle cell disease or cancer who face infertility risks from treatment. It also mandates that all commercial health insurance policies must cover these services without discrimination based on health conditions, age, sex, or other personal characteristics. Additionally, the bill establishes a Statewide Steering Committee on Sickle Cell Disease within the Department of Public Health, including patient representatives, healthcare providers, and community advocates, to develop care standards and educational resources. The committee will oversee statewide partnerships and identify funding for sickle cell care improvements. This directly affects sickle cell disease patients, cancer patients facing fertility risks, insurers, and MassHealth.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to improve sickle cell disease care, directly strengthening healthcare services for a specific medical condition.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 3950: An Act relative to supporting parents in recovery from substance use disorder and enhancing child welfare

HD 2790 requires Massachusetts' Department of Children and Families to create action plans for parents with substance use disorder, allowing parents to help design these plans and listing available resources. It mandates objective standards in plans to gradually increase restricted parenting time and permits recovery coaches or licensed counselors to attend department meetings. The bill also requires the department to provide family counseling after six months of maintained recovery (if appropriate for the child's best interests) and to train staff using input from recovery professionals and medical experts. This directly affects parents in child welfare cases seeking to maintain or regain parenting rights while addressing substance use.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directly supports mental health/substance use recovery services for parents, enhancing access to healthcare treatment within child welfare framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 17, 2026

H 1446: An Act clarifying Meningococcal Vaccine Policy

By Representative Kearney of Scituate, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1446) of Patrick Joseph Kearney relative to college student immunization for meningococcal disease. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies meningococcal vaccine requirements for college students, advancing public health program implementation through mandatory immunization policy.90% confidence

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