Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 359: An Act relative to health equity and community health workers

HD 2122 requires Massachusetts health insurance plans - including Medicaid, private insurers, and employer health plans - to cover services provided by certified community health workers (CHWs), such as health education, care coordination, and resource navigation. It directly affects CHWs, healthcare providers, community organizations, and insurers by mandating payment for these services, including those employed by non-medical entities. The bill also establishes a task force to study CHW workforce challenges and recommend improvements to certification, recruitment, retention, and reimbursement by March 2026. This policy change expands access to community-based health support through standardized insurance coverage and workforce development efforts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures health coverage reimbursement and establishes task force for health equity, expanding access and funding for community health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 4122: An Act relative to deceptive trade practices

By Representative Sabadosa of Northampton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4122) of Lindsay N. Sabadosa relative to deceptive trade practices for emergency contraceptives and medical abortion. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses deceptive trade practices for emergency contraceptives/medical abortion under Public Health, protecting patient access to accurate health information and services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 1409: An Act relative to MassHealth

HD 3251 modifies MassHealth payment rules for nursing facilities. It prohibits the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) from reducing a nursing facility's healthcare payments due to not meeting specific staffing hour requirements. However, facilities with a Medicaid utilization rate of 80% or higher (as determined by EOHHS) remain subject to these payment adjustments. The bill requires EOHHS to issue necessary regulations to implement these changes. This directly affects nursing facilities participating in MassHealth, particularly those with high Medicaid patient volumes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates MassHealth payments to nursing facilities, strengthening healthcare financing within public health program (MassHealth is MA's Medicaid program).95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

H 1368: An Act to provide rapid whole genome sequencing

HD 2659 mandates Medicaid coverage for rapid whole genome sequencing for Massachusetts children and young adults (under 21) hospitalized in intensive care with complex or acute illnesses of unknown cause. It requires coverage when specific clinical criteria are met, such as multiple congenital anomalies, abnormal metabolic tests, refractory seizures, or genetic-suggestive cardiac findings. The bill specifies results must be delivered within 5 days for preliminary findings and 14 days for final results. Genetic data generated is protected under HIPAA as health information, and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services must implement the policy, including seeking federal approval if needed.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides rapid whole genome sequencing under Health Care Financing, advancing diagnostic capabilities and patient access to advanced medical services.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 1407: An Act to ensure MassHealth rate parity for behavioral health inpatient providers

HD 102 requires MassHealth to ensure that all contracted insurers and health plans reimburse inpatient behavioral health providers at least the standard MassHealth fee-for-service per diem rate. This directly affects hospitals and clinics providing inpatient behavioral health care to MassHealth patients. The key provision mandates equal reimbursement rates for these providers, eliminating lower rates previously paid under some contracts. The bill aims to address payment disparities in behavioral health services without changing eligibility or coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures equal reimbursement rates for behavioral health inpatient providers, strengthening mental health services funding under MassHealth.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 2737: An Act relative to Medicare coverage of end-stage renal disease

By Mr. Gómez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2737) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Adam Gómez for legislation relative to Medicare coverage of end-stage renal disease. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicare coverage for end-stage renal disease patients, improving access to essential treatment and strengthening healthcare access for a critical condition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 22, 2026

H 1134: An Act to improve access and care coordination for people with pain

HD 3239 requires Massachusetts Medicaid (MassHealth) plans to cover non-opioid pain medications on equal terms with opioids, prohibiting restrictions like labeling them as "non-preferred" or applying stricter prior authorization rules. It mandates comprehensive care coordination for Medicaid enrollees with chronic pain, including access to primary care, specialists (like pain management and physical therapists), social work, and transportation support through individualized treatment plans. The bill also requires Medicaid managed care organizations to implement a chronic pain quality strategy by 2026, including provider training on multidisciplinary pain care and timely identification of patients. Additionally, it directs the state health center to collect and report data on chronic pain incidence, demographics, and treatment costs every two years to identify gaps and improve services. This bill directly affects Medicaid patients with chronic pain and the healthcare providers and insurers managing their care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to improve access and care coordination for pain management, directly enhancing patient access to healthcare services.90% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 22, 2025

SD 3404: An Act relative to including inflammatory breast cancer awareness in nursing education, Marnie's Law

SD 3404, also known as "Marnie's Law," requires nursing education programs in the state to include specific training on inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) awareness. The bill directly affects nursing schools and future nurses by mandating curriculum additions about IBC, a rare but aggressive form of breast cancer often mistaken for infections. Key provisions include teaching IBC symptoms, diagnosis challenges, and the importance of early detection to prevent misdiagnosis. This Public Health legislation aims to improve patient outcomes by ensuring nurses are equipped to recognize IBC promptly.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates curriculum addition in nursing education programs, enhancing student training on IBC awareness, directly strengthening higher education curriculum requirements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates nursing education on inflammatory breast cancer awareness to prevent misdiagnosis and improve early detection, directly enhancing healthcare quality and patient outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1139: An Act 340B Contract Pharmacy Protection Act

This bill protects 340B contract pharmacies by prohibiting drug manufacturers or distributors from restricting access to discounted 340B drugs or demanding unnecessary data sharing as a condition for sale. It directly affects 340B entities (like community health centers and hospitals) that contract with pharmacies to provide discounted medications to eligible patients. The law bans manufacturers from denying, restricting, or prohibiting 340B drug delivery to authorized pharmacy locations unless federal law prohibits it, and prevents requiring extra claims or utilization data beyond federal requirements. Violations are treated as consumer protection law breaches under Massachusetts law, with each restricted drug package counted as a separate violation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects 340B contract pharmacies' access to discounted drugs, ensuring community health centers provide affordable medications to eligible patients.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prohibits drug manufacturers from demanding unnecessary data sharing, directly protecting patient data privacy as a core technology policy concern.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 894: An Act relative to coverage for chronic illness

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 894) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation relative to coverage for chronic illness. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly addresses coverage for chronic illness, expanding health insurance access for patients with long-term conditions under Health Care Financing.95% confidence

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