Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 1300: An Act relative to cannabis for Medicare eligible patients

This bill allows Massachusetts health insurance plans to cover medical cannabis for patients aged 65 and older, provided the cannabis is listed on state drug schedules II through VI. It requires health plans to reimburse doctors who certify these patients for medical cannabis use under Massachusetts law. The bill directly affects seniors (65+) using medical cannabis and the state-regulated health insurance plans that cover them. It updates insurance coverage rules to align with Massachusetts' medical cannabis program without changing federal cannabis laws.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks Medicare coverage for cannabis, expanding health insurance access for eligible patients. Directly supports healthcare by increasing medical service coverage under Medicare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1408: An Act providing appropriate care for certain populations

This bill creates mandatory "Forensic Units" within certain facilities for specific patient populations. It defines these units as physically separate spaces with incarceration-like restrictions, specialized staff training, and appropriate environments. The law requires that individuals admitted under conditions specified in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), or (e) of certain facility admission rules must initially be placed in these Forensic Units. The direct effect is on patients meeting those admission criteria, ensuring they receive care in a designated unit rather than standard facility units. The bill focuses on structural requirements for facility placement, not on treatment protocols or funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly targets mental health and substance use recovery services, aligning with support indicators for expanding care access and funding mental health initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 2600: An Act requiring health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems

By Mr. Rush, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2600) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michael F. Rush for legislation to require health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems, expanding patient access to cancer treatment support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 2658: An Act to provide reproductive health care to incarcerated individuals

This bill requires Massachusetts correctional facilities to provide free contraceptive services - including reversible methods, emergency contraception, and nonprescription options - to all incarcerated individuals capable of pregnancy upon request, with no unnecessary obstacles. It mandates family planning counseling 60-180 days before release, ensures continuity of prescribed birth control methods, and requires facilities to post clear information about reproductive health rights. For pregnant individuals, the bill guarantees they can determine their own abortion eligibility under state law, with informed consent required and prison staff barred from making such decisions. The Department of Correction must implement these changes within one year of passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides reproductive health care to incarcerated individuals, addressing a correctional health need. This aligns with criminal justice reform by improving conditions in corrections, a key component of the topic.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly provides reproductive health care access to incarcerated individuals, expanding healthcare coverage for a vulnerable population.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 22, 2026

H 2370: An Act prioritizing patient access to care

HD 2651 modifies Massachusetts abortion law by removing specific medical justification requirements. It replaces the previous list of permitted circumstances (e.g., preserving life, health, or fetal anomalies) with a standard allowing abortions "based upon the professional judgment of the physician." The bill also eliminates a requirement for physicians to independently review cases involving pregnancies over 24 weeks and deletes language about "determinations" related to those cases. This change directly affects patients seeking abortions and physicians performing them by broadening the legal basis for the procedure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly prioritizes patient access to care, directly advancing healthcare access for pregnant individuals under public health framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 8, 2026

H 1314: An Act enhancing post-pregnancy mental health care

HD 2988 requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover post-pregnancy mental health care - encompassing both postpartum and post-miscarriage care - without any deductibles, copayments, or cost-sharing. It applies directly to insured individuals and their covered spouses or dependents, ensuring equal access to this care as part of existing postpartum coverage requirements. The bill mandates that insurers provide this coverage without unreasonable delays or restrictions, aligning with existing health care laws. These changes apply to multiple sections of Massachusetts General Laws governing health insurance plans and Medicaid.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly enhances post-pregnancy mental health care services, directly supporting healthcare access and mental health services under the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 1393: An Act relative to preventing overdose deaths and increasing access to treatment

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1393) of Julian Cyr, Joanne M. Comerford, Jason M. Lewis, John F. Keenan and other members of the Senate for legislation relative to preventing overdose deaths and increasing access to treatment. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly increases access to treatment for overdose deaths under mental health/substance use, advancing healthcare access and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1505: An Act relative to LGBTQ+ health disparities

This bill (S 1505) aims to address health disparities affecting LGBTQ+ individuals in Massachusetts. The official abstract states it seeks to advance "LGBTQ health equity" under Public Health, but the provided context does not include specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected groups beyond this general goal. No concrete policy changes, funding details, or implementation methods are described in the available information. Therefore, a detailed summary of the bill's specific actions cannot be provided based on the given abstract alone.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAddresses LGBTQ+ health disparities to improve access and equity in healthcare services, aligning with strengthening patient access and health equity goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1481: An Act providing for consumer access to and the right to practice complementary and alternative health care services

By Mr. Collins, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1481) of Nick Collins for legislation to provide for consumer access to and the right to practice complementary and alternative health care services. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly grants consumers access to and practitioners' rights for complementary/alternative health services, expanding healthcare options under Public Health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1488: An Act relative to facilitating the utilization of psychologists on the health care team

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1488) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation relative to facilitating the utilization of psychologists on the health care team. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly facilitates psychologists' integration into healthcare teams under Public Health, directly supporting mental health service access and team-based care models.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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