Healthcare (Hospitals)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 446: An Act establishing eligibility requirements for the health safety net

HD 446 establishes income-based eligibility for the health safety net program, making uninsured and underinsured residents with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level eligible for coverage, with those between 200% and 400% potentially facing a deductible. It also mandates retroactive coverage for up to 180 days prior to an application. Additionally, the bill creates a task force to study the Health Safety Net Trust Fund's financing, including hospital payments and reimbursements, with a report due by August 1, 2027. The task force must recommend policy changes to address funding shortfalls.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands eligibility to 400% FPL, mandates retroactive coverage, and creates task force for sustainable financing - directly advances healthcare access and coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 4062: An Act relative to essential services

This bill requires hospitals in Massachusetts to provide 90 days' notice before closing or discontinuing any "essential health service." The Department of Health must define "essential health service" through regulation, hold public hearings on proposed closures, and assess whether the closure would reduce access to necessary care in the community. Hospitals must also submit a community benefits plan - including strategies for maintaining essential services - to the Department when applying for a new acute-care hospital license. The bill directly affects hospitals seeking to close facilities or discontinue services, and the Department of Health, which gains oversight authority to protect access to critical care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prevents hospital closures/discontinuation of essential health services, protecting existing healthcare access and continuity of care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 22, 2026

H 4552: An Act to ensure access to scalp and facial hair prostheses for children and adults with alopecia areata

This bill (H 4552) requires health insurance policies in Massachusetts to cover scalp hair prostheses and facial medical pigmentation (like eyebrow replacements) for people with specific hair loss conditions. It directly affects individuals diagnosed with alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, non-classical 21-hydroxylase deficiency, or permanent hair loss due to injury (excluding natural aging). Insurance must provide this coverage on the same terms as prostheses for chemotherapy-related hair loss, subject to a treating physician’s written confirmation of medical necessity. The law applies to all individual/group health plans, hospital service contracts, and health maintenance organizations operating in or outside Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for scalp/facial prostheses for medical conditions, expanding health service access and protecting patient rights for specific hair loss treatments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1503: An Act relative to the closing of hospital essential services

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1503) of Julian Cyr, Joanne M. Comerford, Susannah M. Whipps, Manny Cruz and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the closing of hospital essential services. Public Health.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill explicitly proposes closing hospital essential services, directly limiting patient access to critical healthcare, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 22, 2025

H 1398: An Act relative to hospital profit and fairness

HD 3584, titled "An Act relative to hospital profit and fairness," targets hospitals receiving Commonwealth funding that serve fewer than 60% government patients (e.g., Medicaid/Medicare). It imposes civil penalties on facilities with operating margins exceeding 8% or CEO compensation over 50 times the minimum wage employee pay, requiring public reporting of all financial assets (including foreign holdings) within 7 days. Penalties collected fund a new Medicaid Reimbursement Enhancement Fund to improve Medicaid payments to eligible hospitals. The law applies to acute care hospitals, teaching hospitals, and state-operated facilities but excludes rehabilitation and long-term care centers. It takes effect January 1, 2025, without affecting pre-existing contracts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill imposes civil penalties for excessive profits/compensation at publicly funded hospitals to ensure public funds are used appropriately for healthcare, protecting the healthcare system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 779: An Act to protect 340B providers in the MassHealth program

By Representative Lipper-Garabedian of Melrose, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 779) of Kate Lipper-Garabedian relative to hospital access to discounted purchase of prescription drugs. Elder Affairs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects 340B providers' access to discounted drugs in MassHealth, strengthening healthcare affordability and access for safety-net hospitals serving vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 22, 2025

H 1356: An Act relative to transparency of hospital and health system finances

This bill requires hospitals and health systems in Massachusetts to publicly report detailed financial data, including revenues, costs, staffing expenses, debt, and patient care metrics. It directly affects acute hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and their parent organizations, requiring them to submit standardized financial information to the state health center. Key provisions mandate annual public reports on metrics like operating margins, debt coverage ratios, uncompensated care burdens, and financial transfers between affiliated entities. The goal is to provide transparent, comparable data for third-party payers and the public to make informed healthcare decisions, without changing patient care or costs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates transparency in hospital finances, promoting accountability in healthcare spending, aligning with support indicators for system integrity.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 897: An Act relative to hospital price transparency

This bill requires hospitals to publicly disclose pricing information. Specifically, hospitals must post machine-readable lists of standard charges for all services on their websites and provide written payment estimates to patients (or their representatives) at least 3 days before scheduled elective procedures, tests, or services. Hospitals must also prominently display information about this service in public areas and on their websites. Violations are treated as unfair business practices under Chapter 93A, allowing the Attorney General to seek penalties or restitution. The bill directly affects all hospitals in Massachusetts and patients scheduling elective medical services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates hospital price transparency, improving patient access to cost information and aligning with healthcare transparency initiatives to strengthen consumer decision-making.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 16, 2025

S 842: An Act to address medical debt through hospital financial assistance reform

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 842) of Joanne M. Comerford and Steven Owens for legislation to offer financial assistance for medical debt to those below the federal poverty level. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs state funds for medical debt assistance to low-income residents, increasing public service spending under government budget allocation.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides financial assistance for medical debt to those below federal poverty level, directly improving healthcare access and reducing financial barriers for low-income patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 856: An Act ensuring access and continuity of care to specialist and hospital services for dually eligible individuals

This bill (SD 1815) ensures that people in Massachusetts eligible for both Medicare and MassHealth (dually eligible individuals) can access specialist and hospital care from any provider enrolled in Medicare or MassHealth, regardless of their health plan’s network restrictions. It requires health plans (like One Care or SCO plans) to reimburse providers at Medicare or MassHealth fee-for-service rates if no existing contract exists, unless the plan and provider agree otherwise. Additionally, if a health plan terminates a contract with a provider, it must allow affected members to continue receiving care from that provider for 12 months under the original terms, including reimbursement rates, to prevent sudden disruptions in care. The law directly affects dually eligible patients and their providers, focusing on maintaining access without requiring new contract negotiations during transitions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures access/continuity of specialist/hospital care for dually eligible individuals, directly improving healthcare access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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