Healthcare

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

Track

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

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 29, 2025

S 869: An Act relative to preventing discrimination against persons with disabilities in the provision of health care

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 869) of Adam Gomez, James K. Hawkins, Jacob R. Oliveira, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the General Court for legislation to prevent discrimination against persons with disabilities in the provision of health care. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents disability discrimination in healthcare access, aligning with patient rights protection and equal care provisions.95% confidence

Track

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

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 8, 2026

H 2378: An Act to increase patient access to certain health care services

This bill amends definitions in Massachusetts health care law to clarify when health care facilities must seek department approval before making significant service changes. It defines "substantial change in services" for hospitals and other facilities (like nursing homes), requiring review for expansions, conversions to new services (e.g., psychiatric care), or increases in bed capacity over 12 beds. The bill explicitly excludes facilities relying solely on spiritual healing through prayer, ambulatory surgical centers, and routine outpatient services from these requirements. It aims to streamline patient access to new services by establishing clear criteria for when regulatory review is needed, directly affecting hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities planning service expansions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill title explicitly states 'increase patient access to certain health care services,' directly aligning with 'improves patient access' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 759: An Act redirecting excessive health insurer reserves to support health care safety net programs

By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 759) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation to redirect excessive health insurer reserves to support health care needs. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects excessive insurer reserves to fund healthcare safety net programs, directly expanding support for vulnerable populations through increased funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 798: An Act relative to small business health insurance incentives

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 798) of Michael O. Moore and James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to small business health insurance incentives. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides incentives for small businesses to offer health insurance, expanding coverage access. Explicitly supports healthcare access through business incentives.95% confidence

Tags Small Business

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 23, 2026

H 1237: An Act to further enhance rate review examinations conducted by the health care access bureau within the division of insurance

This bill establishes a Health Care Access Bureau within Massachusetts' Division of Insurance, led by a deputy commissioner, to conduct enhanced rate reviews of health insurance premiums. The bureau must evaluate rates for affordability - considering consumer costs like deductibles and copays, as well as impacts on state health care spending goals - and examine causes of premium increases and provider price variations. Insurers licensed in Massachusetts will pay an annual $2 million assessment to fund the bureau's operations, with additional funds allocated for General Fund costs. The bureau's work aims to protect consumers, improve access to affordable coverage, and ensure fair treatment for health care providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnhances rate review oversight for health insurance markets, strengthening consumer protections and market transparency in healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 23, 2026

H 1181: An Act to redirect excessive health insurer reserves to support health care safety net programs

This bill requires health insurance companies with reserves exceeding 550% of risk-based capital to pay an assessment generating $400 million in 2023. The funds will be split equally: $200 million to the Health Safety Net Trust Fund (supporting community health programs) and $200 million to the Medicaid Stabilization Trust Fund (to prevent cuts in MassHealth services and provider reimbursements). The assessment applies only to insurers meeting the reserve threshold and expires on December 31, 2026. It directly affects health insurers with significant excess reserves, redirecting those funds to stabilize healthcare access for low-income residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes insurance assessment to fund healthcare safety net programs, directly increasing public service funding via new revenue source.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects insurer reserves to fund healthcare safety net programs, increasing public health funding and support for service delivery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 23, 2026

H 1238: An Act establishing a division of health insurance

This bill (HD 4031) renames multiple state departments and divisions to replace "insurance" with "health insurance" in official titles and responsibilities. It updates terms across 26 sections of law, including renaming the "Division of Insurance" to "Division of Health Insurance" and the "Commissioner of Insurance" to "Commissioner of Health Insurance" in relevant statutes. The bill directly affects the Department of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, its divisions, and state agencies overseeing health insurance oversight. It makes no new policy changes but ensures consistent terminology for health insurance regulation within state law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishing a division of health insurance structurally supports healthcare administration by creating dedicated oversight, aligning with strengthening system management.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track