By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1397) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to establish five regional pilot programs to examine alternative models for transport of behavioral health patients. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.
This bill modifies Massachusetts' Prescription Monitoring Program to improve coordination for patients in opioid treatment. It requires treatment facilities to provide patients with a consent form explaining they can choose to share their opioid maintenance treatment information through the monitoring system (which is encouraged but not mandatory). If consent is given, healthcare providers can access this information before prescribing non-maintenance opioids, helping them make more informed decisions. The bill directly affects opioid treatment programs, patients in those programs, and prescribers of controlled substances. It does not change privacy rules but adds a consent process for sharing treatment data within existing legal boundaries.
By Representative Badger of Plymouth, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michelle L. Badger for legislation to establish to a board of registration of licensed mental health counselors. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.
This bill creates a dedicated "Naloxone Purchase Trust Fund" to cover the costs of buying, storing, and distributing naloxone (a medication that reverses opioid overdoses) across Massachusetts. The fund will pay for naloxone distribution to specific healthcare facilities - like hospitals, emergency departments, substance use disorder treatment centers, and community health clinics - that provide it to patients with a history of opioid use, opioid use disorder, or opioid overdose. Funding comes from transfers of state health funds, voluntary contributions (e.g., from insurers), and interest, with non-federal costs limited to 10% of the fund’s total. The bill amends related laws to include this fund in Medicaid assessment calculations and requires annual reporting to state committees.
This Massachusetts resolution urges Congress to eliminate an 8-hour training requirement and exam needed for physicians to prescribe buprenorphine (a medication used to treat opioid addiction). Current rules - unlike those for other similar drugs - require a special DEA waiver, which the resolution argues creates unnecessary barriers to treatment. The resolution has no direct effect but seeks to prompt federal action on updating the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000. It specifically targets the prescribing process for buprenorphine, not broader opioid policy.
This bill (SD 487) amends Massachusetts insurance law to require coverage for a minimum of 30 days of in-patient substance abuse treatment, increasing the current minimum from 14 days. It directly affects health insurance providers in Massachusetts, mandating they cover longer in-patient treatment stays for substance use disorders. The bill updates specific sections of Chapter 258 (the state's health insurance law) by replacing "14" with "30" in multiple provisions governing coverage requirements. This change ensures insurance plans must cover at least 30 days of in-patient care, rather than the previous 14-day minimum, for qualifying substance abuse treatment. The policy change applies to all health insurance plans regulated under Massachusetts law.
This bill requires general acute care hospitals in Massachusetts to include fentanyl testing in standard urine drug screenings when treating patients for diagnosis. It directly affects hospitals that conduct such screenings, mandating they test for fentanyl alongside other drugs like opioids and cocaine. The key provision specifies that "urine drug screening" must now include fentanyl, with the Department of Public Health authorized to create necessary regulations for implementation. This policy change aims to improve detection of fentanyl exposure in medical settings without altering existing screening protocols for other substances.
This bill (S 406) proposes creating recovery high schools within Massachusetts public education. It would establish specialized schools for students aged 14-22 with substance use disorders, providing academic instruction alongside recovery support services. The legislation directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop guidelines for these schools' structure and operations. It directly affects students seeking education while managing substance use challenges and school districts implementing these programs. The bill focuses on integrating academic and recovery support within the state's education system.
This bill mandates that most health insurance plans in Massachusetts cover acupuncture for specific conditions, including pain management, PTSD, substance abuse treatment, and nausea. It requires insurers to provide these benefits without differentiating reimbursement rates between licensed acupuncturists and medical doctors. The bill also creates a commission to study how to better integrate acupuncture into mainstream healthcare delivery, focusing on cost reduction, access, and quality. These changes directly affect insurance companies, healthcare providers, and Massachusetts residents seeking acupuncture services.
HD 1239 establishes a 10-member commission to study telehealth quality and accessibility for Massachusetts residents. The commission will assess current policies for expanding telehealth access (including out-of-state providers) and evaluate safety/quality standards for providers like doctors and therapists. It will hold public hearings and submit recommendations with draft legislation to the state legislature by December 2026. This bill directly affects residents seeking telehealth services and healthcare providers operating within Massachusetts, but does not change existing telehealth laws itself. The commission includes appointments from the governor, Senate, House, and mental health organizations.
