By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2060) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to establish a tax credit for families caring for elderly relatives and victims of Alzheimer's and Dementia. Revenue.
By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 842) of Joanne M. Comerford and Steven Owens for legislation to offer financial assistance for medical debt to those below the federal poverty level. Health Care Financing.
By Mr. Payano, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1757) of Pavel M. Payano for legislation to remove medical and health service fees for incarcerated people. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
This bill (SD 1815) ensures that people in Massachusetts eligible for both Medicare and MassHealth (dually eligible individuals) can access specialist and hospital care from any provider enrolled in Medicare or MassHealth, regardless of their health plan’s network restrictions. It requires health plans (like One Care or SCO plans) to reimburse providers at Medicare or MassHealth fee-for-service rates if no existing contract exists, unless the plan and provider agree otherwise. Additionally, if a health plan terminates a contract with a provider, it must allow affected members to continue receiving care from that provider for 12 months under the original terms, including reimbursement rates, to prevent sudden disruptions in care. The law directly affects dually eligible patients and their providers, focusing on maintaining access without requiring new contract negotiations during transitions.
This bill requires Massachusetts correctional facilities to provide medication for addiction treatment (MAT) to incarcerated individuals within 24 hours of admission if clinically indicated, and to maintain the same treatment a person was receiving before incarceration. It prohibits denying or discontinuing MAT due to positive drug screens, disciplinary actions, or other barriers, and mandates access to addiction specialists for ongoing care. The bill also requires re-entry planning at least 120 days before release, including referrals for continued treatment, opioid antagonist doses, and assistance with MassHealth benefits. These changes apply to all state and county correctional facilities and aim to ensure consistent care for people with substance use disorders during and after incarceration.
By Mr. Payano, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 902) of Pavel M. Payano for legislation to lower health care prices for patients by limiting the rate that can be charged for services to not exceed 200 percent of the amount paid by Medicare for the service. Health Care Financing.
By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 883) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to protect qualified Medicare beneficiaries from improper billing. Health Care Financing.
This bill strengthens protections for providers of reproductive and gender-affirming health care services in Massachusetts. It prohibits state agencies from sharing personal information (like addresses or contact details) of these providers or cooperating with out-of-state investigations into their services. The law also blocks evidence related to legally protected health care from being used against providers in civil or criminal cases, and restricts health data centers from disclosing patient or provider information to outside entities investigating such services. These provisions directly affect health care providers, clinics, and state agencies handling health data.
By Mr. Durant, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1520) of Peter J. Durant, Susan E. Chester , and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to protect a patient’s right to a support person at health care facilities. Public Health.
By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 852) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to prevent medical debt by restoring health safety net eligibility levels. Health Care Financing.
