Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 18, 2025

H 1322: An Act ensuring access to specialty medications

This bill establishes licensing requirements for specialty pharmacies in Massachusetts that dispense specialty medications. It requires these pharmacies to designate a registered pharmacist in charge who must maintain good standing with their licensing board, submit annual reports, and keep detailed records of all drugs dispensed. The law also prohibits out-of-state pharmacies from dispensing specialty medications in Massachusetts without obtaining a specialty license. Additionally, it mandates that insurance carriers cannot block access to specialty drugs dispensed by licensed pharmacies that meet required handling and monitoring standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures access to specialty medications, directly improving patient access to critical treatments under healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 4496: An Act to help patients and reduce health care costs by ensuring patient adherence to medications

H 4496 requires health insurance plans covering prescriptions to allow partial medication fills at a pro-rated daily cost when a doctor or pharmacist determines it benefits the patient and the patient agrees. It prohibits insurers from denying coverage for partial fills used to synchronize multiple prescriptions (e.g., aligning refill dates for several medications). The bill also mandates full payment for dispensing fees on partial fills and blocks insurers from using pro-rated dispensing fees. This directly affects patients needing medication synchronization, pharmacists, prescribers, and health insurance plans in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to cover partial medication fills without denial, improving patient access and adherence to prescriptions, directly strengthening healthcare access and reducing costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 1115: An Act requiring full health insurance coverage for individuals with vitiligo

This bill (HD 1965) would require all health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover treatment for vitiligo as a chronic autoimmune disease, including mental health services related to the condition. It directly affects individuals with vitiligo who have health insurance through the state's group insurance program, Medicaid managed care plans, or private health insurance policies. The law mandates that coverage must be provided for both physical treatments and mental health care connected to vitiligo, applying to all health insurance policies sold or renewed in Massachusetts. This change would ensure consistent coverage for vitiligo treatment across public and private insurance plans without requiring separate applications or approvals for this specific condition.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates full insurance coverage for vitiligo treatment, expanding health benefits and improving patient access to necessary care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 1342: An Act relative to parental choice for medically fragile students

This bill requires health insurance policies (including group plans, hospital services, and health maintenance contracts) to cover medically necessary treatments for students with disabilities, as specified in their individual education plans or similar federal special education documents. It directly affects students with disabilities whose care is outlined in these plans and their families, ensuring insurers cannot deny coverage based on disability. The law mandates that all qualifying insurance policies issued or renewed after January 1, 2024, provide equal coverage for these treatments without discrimination. It applies broadly to all relevant insurance products under Massachusetts law, aligning with existing federal special education requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly addresses health insurance coverage for medically fragile students, expanding access to healthcare services for a vulnerable population.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

H 2206: An Act enabling physician assistants to authorize psychiatric holds and ensure adequate training on their use

This bill (HD 3581) allows licensed physician assistants to authorize psychiatric holds in Massachusetts, expanding their existing authority under Chapter 123 of the General Laws. It directly affects physician assistants working in mental health settings by permitting them to initiate involuntary psychiatric holds for individuals in crisis. Key provisions require physician assistants to complete 3 hours of specialized mental health evaluation training developed by the Department of Mental Health before authorizing such holds. The bill amends specific sections of the law to explicitly include "physician assistant" alongside "physician" in relevant provisions. This is a policy change to clarify and expand the scope of practice for physician assistants in mental health emergencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables physician assistants to authorize psychiatric holds with training, expanding mental health crisis access and directly supporting mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 1401: An Act to provide more timely treatment of inpatient mental health care

This bill (SD 1628) requires faster processing of inpatient mental health care decisions in Massachusetts. It mandates that hospital hearings for patients in mental health facilities occur within 7 days (instead of "as expeditiously as possible") and shortens timelines for independent medical exams to 24 hours after counsel is appointed, with completion within 3 business days. It also creates a new process for approving antipsychotic medication for children in state custody who are hospitalized, requiring the Department of Children and Families and the Child Advocate to develop a specific timeline. These changes directly affect hospitals, indigent patients seeking care, and children in foster care receiving psychiatric treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to improve access to inpatient mental health care, directly supporting mental health services within healthcare policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 1287: An Act relative to the treatment of infantile cataracts

This bill requires all health insurance policies covering infantile cataract surgery in Massachusetts to include coverage for aphakic lenses (lenses needed after cataract surgery) and related prosthetic contact lenses or glasses, as determined medically necessary by a physician. It directly affects children diagnosed with infantile cataracts and their families, ensuring insurance coverage for essential post-surgery vision correction. The law mandates this coverage across multiple insurance regulatory chapters, overriding any existing policy exclusions. It focuses on concrete policy changes by requiring insurers to cover these specific treatments without additional patient cost for medically necessary items.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for aphakic lenses in cataract treatment, expanding patient access to necessary medical care under healthcare coverage policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 22, 2026

H 1164: An Act to improve child and adolescent mental health services

This bill (HD 1927) standardizes the definition of "licensed mental health professional" across multiple Massachusetts laws by explicitly listing qualifying professions - including psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, nurse specialists, and educational psychologists. It directly affects insurance policies and healthcare providers by ensuring consistent eligibility criteria for mental health services under state insurance regulations. The bill does not create new services or funding but clarifies existing definitions to align insurance coverage requirements with current licensed professional roles. It applies to all insurance policies issued or renewed on or after March 1, 2006.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to improve child/adolescent mental health services by revising insurance law definitions for licensed professionals, enhancing access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 23, 2026

H 1224: An Act providing insurance coverage for biennial echocardiograms for persons under the age of 18

This bill requires all health insurance plans sold in Massachusetts - including state employee group plans, individual policies, and hospital service agreements - to cover biennial echocardiograms (heart screenings) and concussion analysis for children aged 5 to 18. It directly affects insurers and policyholders by mandating this specific preventive care coverage for youth. The key provision adds new requirements to multiple chapters of state law, ensuring consistent coverage across all medical insurance types in the commonwealth. The policy change focuses on making these screenings accessible without out-of-pocket costs for families.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for pediatric echocardiograms, expanding preventive care access for minors under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 1341: An Act relative to insurance coverage for medically necessary tattoos

This bill requires health insurance policies in Massachusetts to cover medically necessary tattoos when a physician deems them necessary. It defines "medical tattoo" as one used for skin restoration, concealing surface defects, or marking treatment sites. Insurance plans must provide this coverage, with the insurance commissioner tasked to create implementing regulations. The law directly affects patients needing such tattoos for medical reasons and all health insurance providers operating in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for medically necessary tattoos, expanding health services access under healthcare insurance policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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