Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 850: An Act relative to nursing career pathways in long term care

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 850) of Julian Cyr for legislation to ensure that students who are enrolled in and pursuing a nursing career program of higher education shall be eligible for career pathway financial assistance. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides financial assistance for higher education nursing students, directly funding career pathways in education as per summary.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nursing education pathways to strengthen long-term care workforce, directly supporting healthcare staffing needs through financial assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Long-Term Care

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1591: An Act relative to healthcare proxies

HD 1495 amends Massachusetts law to establish a process for designating a physician as a healthcare proxy when a patient's original proxy is unavailable, unwilling, or unable to act. It directly affects patients in medical emergencies who lack an accessible designated proxy. The bill requires physicians to follow four specific safeguards: make reasonable contact attempts to reach the original proxy, obtain independent confirmation of the patient's incapacity, secure medical ethics committee consensus, and document the new physician proxy in the medical record. The law explicitly states it does not authorize physician-assisted suicide.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes legal framework for healthcare proxies, protecting patient autonomy in medical decisions, aligning with patient rights support indicator.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 712: An Act relative to ensuring treatment for genetic craniofacial conditions

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 712) of Julian Cyr, Joanne M. Comerford, Adam Gomez, Dylan A. Fernandes and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to ensuring treatment for genetic craniofacial conditions. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures treatment access for genetic craniofacial conditions, directly improving patient access to healthcare services as per topic description.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 5, 2026

H 1257: An Act relative to ensuring treatment for genetic craniofacial conditions

This bill (HD 1173) requires specific insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover medically necessary functional repair or restoration for certain congenital craniofacial disorders. It applies to Commonwealth employee health plans, state division programs, private insurance policies, and health maintenance organizations. Coverage must include treatment for ectodermal dysplasia, dentinogenesis imperfecta, and amelogenesis imperfecta (excluding cleft lip/palate, which is covered under separate existing sections), but excludes cosmetic surgery and unrelated dental/orthodontic care. Crucially, these benefits must not face higher deductibles, copays, or out-of-pocket limits than other plan benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates health insurance coverage for genetic craniofacial treatment, expanding patient access to specialized care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 822: An Act expanding health insurance access for state employees

By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 822) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to expand health insurance access for state employees. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands health insurance access for state employees, directly advancing coverage access per title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 16, 2025

H 2399: An Act to improve access to health care for people with Long COVID

This bill establishes a state-funded pilot program to improve healthcare access for Massachusetts residents diagnosed with Long COVID. It requires the health department to create a culturally-specific patient navigation program aligned with the National Academies' Long COVID definition, focusing on reducing barriers to treatment and connecting patients to clinical care, specialists, insurance support, and nonmedical services like housing or transportation assistance. The program includes data collection, needs assessments, and navigation for both medical and social needs, with provisions for reimbursement of navigator services. A consumer advisory board of Long COVID patients and healthcare providers must guide the program's development, and the department must report to the legislature within one year on the pilot's results and potential for expansion.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to improve healthcare access for Long COVID patients, directly aligning with support indicators like enhanced patient access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 29, 2026

H 4617: An Act to remove barriers to patient care

This bill (H 4617) allows advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to fulfill certain healthcare documentation requirements currently limited to physicians. Specifically, it amends Massachusetts health laws to permit APRNs to provide diagnostic evaluations, medical necessity determinations, written orders, prescriptions, and treatment recommendations for insurance coverage and reimbursement purposes. The bill explicitly states it does not expand APRNs' existing scope of practice. It directly affects healthcare providers (APRNs and physicians), healthcare facilities, and insurers by changing reimbursement eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows APRNs to perform key documentation tasks for insurance/reimbursement, expanding provider access without altering scope, directly improving patient care access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 9, 2026

H 1156: An Act relative to uncollected co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles

This bill requires health insurance carriers to reimburse healthcare providers 65% of unpaid patient co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles after providers make documented reasonable collection efforts (e.g., 120+ days of contact attempts). It directly affects healthcare providers who struggle to collect these patient payments, particularly for claims over $250 per unique service. Providers must submit annual aggregated requests by May 1 with documentation of collection efforts, and carriers must pay within 120 days of receiving valid submissions. The law aims to reduce provider financial strain from uncollected patient costs while referencing CMS guidelines for collection standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires healthcare carriers to share accountability for uncollectible patient payments, reducing provider financial burden and improving access to care.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1743: An Act establishing medical civil rights

This bill requires law enforcement and correctional officers to immediately request emergency medical services when a person in their custody or under their direct observation shows signs of an emergency medical condition or is medically unstable. It defines key terms like "emergency medical condition" (symptoms severe enough to risk serious harm without prompt care) and "medically unstable" (unstable health status likely to become an emergency). Officers must act if the person communicates their condition or if the officer reasonably observes symptoms, with limited exceptions if the person was recently cleared by a medical professional. The law directly affects individuals interacting with police or in correctional facilities and sets clear protocols for officer response to medical crises.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes 'medical civil rights,' directly protecting patient rights in healthcare settings, aligning with support indicators like patient rights protection.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 28, 2026

H 1315: An Act relative to IUD pain management coverage

This bill requires most health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover pain management options during IUD insertions without cost-sharing. It applies to state employee health plans, Medicaid, private accident/sickness insurance, and hospital service plans, covering methods like IV sedation, oral sedation, or topical anesthesia as prescribed by a provider. The law prohibits deductibles, copays, or cost-sharing for these services and ensures coverage extends to spouses and dependents. Religious employers may opt out but must notify enrollees about excluded contraceptive services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for IUD pain management, expanding access to reproductive healthcare services.95% confidence

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