Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 898: An Act relative to patient centered access to behavioral health services in accountable care organizations

This bill requires Massachusetts Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) certified by the Health Policy Commission to provide patient navigation services for individuals with diagnosed mental illness, substance use disorder, or symptoms suggesting these conditions. ACOs must assign certified Patient Engagement Advocates to help patients overcome barriers like finding providers, navigating insurance, scheduling appointments, and coordinating care across specialists. These advocates must provide specific support services, including initial intake assessments, provider matching, and post-treatment follow-up, with patient consent. The requirement applies to all new ACOs immediately and existing ACOs within six months of the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves patient access to behavioral health services in accountable care organizations, directly supporting mental health care expansion and patient-centered care access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 864: An Act limiting excessive growth in the operating budgets of health care oversight agencies

By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 864) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation relative to the operating budgets of health care oversight agencies. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesLimits budget growth for health care oversight agencies, directly restricting government spending in this area.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill explicitly limits budget growth for healthcare oversight agencies, restricting operational capacity per 'limit' indicator in oppose definition.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 840: An Act relative to insurer responsibility to the operating budgets of health care oversight entities

By Mr. Collins, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 840) of Nick Collins for legislation to ensure to insurer responsibility to the operating budgets of health care oversight entities by paying to the commonwealth an amount for the estimated expenses of the commission. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to fund healthcare oversight entities' operating budgets, directly advancing healthcare financing and oversight stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 911: An Act to strengthen the management of the health care connector

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 911) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to strengthen the management of the health care connector. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to strengthen health care connector management, directly advancing healthcare system oversight and financing as indicated in title and summary.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 779: An Act to protect 340B providers

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 779) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to protect 340B providers in the drug discount program. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects 340B providers in drug discount program, ensuring continued access to affordable medications for safety-net hospitals and patients, directly supporting healthcare access and affordability.92% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 30, 2026

S 687: An Act ensuring access to fair and reasonable pharmacy networks

This bill (SD 761) requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to maintain fair and accessible pharmacy networks for patients, directly affecting PBMs, health insurers, and community pharmacies. It prohibits "steering" (directing prescriptions to owned/affiliated pharmacies) and mandates that PBMs provide networks with convenient access to physical pharmacies near patients' homes, excluding mail-order options from adequacy calculations. Violating these rules triggers a 10% surcharge on the PBM's prior year's pharmacy reimbursements, payable to the state division. The law aims to prevent anti-competitive practices that limit patient choice and access to local pharmacies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures access to fair pharmacy networks, improving patient access to medications and protecting consumer choice in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 30, 2026

S 831: An Act to ensure access to prescription medication and community pharmacies

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 831) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to ensure access to prescription medication and community pharmacies. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures access to prescription medication and community pharmacies, directly improving patient access to essential healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1594: An Act to protect patients with Alzheimer's, dementia, and other psychiatric illnesses

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1594) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to protect patients with Alzheimer's, dementia, and other psychiatric illnesses. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to protect patients with Alzheimer's/dementia under Public Health, aligning with patient rights and care strengthening indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 1635: An Act authorizing pharmacists to provide opioid use disorder treatment

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1635) of John C. Velis for legislation to authorize pharmacists to provide opioid use disorder treatment. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes pharmacists to provide opioid use disorder treatment, expanding access to public health services for substance use disorders.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 16, 2025

S 900: An Act to promote primary care through Medicaid graduate medical education funding

By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 900) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation to promote primary care through Medicaid graduate medical education funding. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds Medicaid graduate medical education to expand primary care access, directly increasing healthcare workforce capacity and patient access through targeted funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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