Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 8, 2025

S 1399: An Act to increase investment in behavioral health care in the Commonwealth

This bill establishes a 30% annual growth target for behavioral health spending above 2025 baseline levels for the 2026-2028 period, requiring the state commission to track and report on progress. It mandates annual public hearings and detailed annual reports analyzing behavioral health spending trends, cost drivers, and how well the system meets the target. The commission must publish these reports publicly and propose strategies to improve affordability and efficiency in behavioral health care. The law applies to all behavioral health expenditures in Massachusetts, directly affecting how the state monitors and manages these costs through defined targets and reporting mechanisms.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly increases funding for behavioral health care, directly supporting mental health services within healthcare policy as defined.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 27, 2025

H 2536: An Act relative to facilitating the utilization of psychologists on the health care team

HD 1858 amends a Massachusetts law to explicitly include psychologists alongside dentists as recognized professionals who can be part of a healthcare team. This minor procedural change directly affects healthcare providers and teams by formally expanding the legal scope of who can contribute to patient care under Chapter 112. The key mechanism is adding the word "psychologists" after "dentists" in Section 80B of the General Laws, updating the statutory list. The bill does not create new services or funding but clarifies existing legal recognition for psychologists in team-based care. This change streamlines administrative processes for healthcare teams seeking to integrate psychological services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands mental health services by including psychologists in nursing practice definition, improving access to healthcare teams under Public Health.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1414: An Act increasing access to ABA services by recognizing assistant level providers

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1414) of Michael O. Moore, John J. Cronin, James B. Eldridge, Paul R. Feeney and other members of the Senate for legislation to increase access to Applied Behavior Analysis services by recognizing assistant level providers. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases mental health service access by recognizing assistant providers for ABA therapy, directly expanding patient access to covered care under mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 6, 2025

S 855: An Act ensuring equitable health coverage for children

This bill establishes a new MassHealth program providing comprehensive health coverage to children and young adults under 21 in Massachusetts who are residents but cannot access regular Medicaid benefits solely due to their immigration status. It ensures these individuals receive the same health benefits as other low-income children of similar age and income under existing eligibility rules. The program requires the state health department to maximize federal funding for these benefits, but the coverage cannot be withheld if federal funds are unavailable. This directly affects immigrant youth who were previously excluded from state health programs because of their immigration status.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to ensure equitable health coverage for children, expanding access and advancing healthcare for a vulnerable group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1792: An Act relative to mandatory coverage for certain health screenings for firefighters

By Mr. Brady, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1792) of Michael D. Brady for legislation relative to mandatory coverage for certain health screenings for firefighters. Public Service.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandatory coverage for firefighter health screenings expands preventive care access by requiring insurers to cover specific screenings, strengthening healthcare access for first responders.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 23, 2026

H 1212: An Act relative to emergency insulin access

This bill allows pharmacists in Massachusetts to provide emergency insulin without a current prescription during urgent situations where a patient cannot quickly obtain authorization from their doctor. It defines an "emergency situation" as one where immediate prescription authorization isn't possible and requires pharmacists to use their professional judgment to determine if insulin is essential for sustaining life or managing a chronic condition. The bill limits emergency insulin dispensing to a 30-day supply per instance and prohibits the same pharmacist from providing this emergency supply more than once every six months to the same patient. It amends multiple statutes to include this provision, ensuring pharmacists can act in emergencies while maintaining safety safeguards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directly addresses emergency insulin access, improving patient access to critical medication, a core healthcare access issue with no restrictive language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 22, 2025

H 1398: An Act relative to hospital profit and fairness

HD 3584, titled "An Act relative to hospital profit and fairness," targets hospitals receiving Commonwealth funding that serve fewer than 60% government patients (e.g., Medicaid/Medicare). It imposes civil penalties on facilities with operating margins exceeding 8% or CEO compensation over 50 times the minimum wage employee pay, requiring public reporting of all financial assets (including foreign holdings) within 7 days. Penalties collected fund a new Medicaid Reimbursement Enhancement Fund to improve Medicaid payments to eligible hospitals. The law applies to acute care hospitals, teaching hospitals, and state-operated facilities but excludes rehabilitation and long-term care centers. It takes effect January 1, 2025, without affecting pre-existing contracts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill imposes civil penalties for excessive profits/compensation at publicly funded hospitals to ensure public funds are used appropriately for healthcare, protecting the healthcare system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 779: An Act to protect 340B providers in the MassHealth program

By Representative Lipper-Garabedian of Melrose, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 779) of Kate Lipper-Garabedian relative to hospital access to discounted purchase of prescription drugs. Elder Affairs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects 340B providers' access to discounted drugs in MassHealth, strengthening healthcare affordability and access for safety-net hospitals serving vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 1390: An Act relative to MassHealth managed care pharmacy benefit reimbursement rates

By Representative McMurtry of Dedham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1390) of Paul McMurtry relative to MassHealth managed care pharmacy benefit reimbursement rates. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill adjusts MassHealth pharmacy reimbursement rates, directly supporting pharmacy benefit access and financing within public healthcare program, aligning with funding/access indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 1373: An Act relative to establishing a health safety net task force

HD 1199 creates a 14-member task force to review how Massachusetts hospitals and dental schools (including those at Boston University, Tufts, and Harvard) are reimbursed for care provided to MassHealth members. The task force must examine current laws and identify ways to improve payment systems for basic dental and general healthcare services. It will make recommendations for legislative changes to establish proper funding and reimbursement procedures within 12 months of the bill's passage. This bill directly affects Massachusetts healthcare providers and MassHealth's payment structure, but does not change existing funding levels.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes task force to study MassHealth dental/hospital reimbursement, aiming to improve access and funding for public health services.85% confidence

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