Rep. John Moran

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to study the feasibility of implementing a single-payer health care system in Massachusetts, aiming to provide universal access for all residents regardless of their background. The commission, which includes representatives from various sectors such as labor, business, and health care, is tasked with analyzing costs, reviewing models used by other states and countries, and developing specific recommendations for funding and administration. Its report will cover detailed aspects like transition costs, workforce impacts, and methods to ensure equitable access to services including dental, mental health, and long-term care. Ultimately, the legislation focuses on creating a comprehensive plan rather than immediately enacting a new health care system.

Maddy summaryH 5015 requires Massachusetts health insurers and health plans to reimburse community health centers at rates equivalent to MassHealth payments for the same services. It applies to all entities paying for Federally Qualified Health Center services, including private insurers, HMOs, and dental corporations. The law mandates that reimbursement must match MassHealth's payment methodology as of January 1, 2025, ensuring community health centers receive the same revenue they would get through Medicaid. Insurers must annually report compliance with this standard to the state insurance division.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover hearing aids for insured residents. It mandates coverage for one hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear every 36 months, based on a physician's written statement of medical necessity, with coverage extending to the best-fit device (regardless of brand) and related services like fittings, adjustments, and repairs. The law caps patient copayments at $200 per hearing aid and prohibits higher deductibles or out-of-pocket costs than for other durable medical equipment. It applies to all group and individual health insurance policies, including non-group plans, ensuring consistent coverage for people with hearing loss.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to address contamination in Massachusetts drinking water, groundwater, soil, and other environmental media. It directly affects communities with PFAS pollution, including vulnerable environmental justice areas, private well owners, and public water systems. The fund provides grants for PFAS treatment, remediation, and outreach programs, prioritizing communities with limited resources. Money comes from settlements with PFAS manufacturers, other grants, and interest, with strict rules requiring repayment if responsible parties are later identified.

Maddy summaryHD 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.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Medicaid eligibility rules for seniors in Massachusetts by raising income and resource limits. It sets the monthly income limit at 138% of the federal poverty level (updated yearly) and excludes life insurance cash surrender values from resource calculations. Seniors applying for Medicaid will now qualify if their resources stay under $10,000 individually or $20,000 for couples, with these amounts adjusted annually for inflation using the Consumer Price Index. These changes aim to make Medicaid more accessible for older adults with modest savings.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Massachusetts' eligibility rules for three Medicare savings programs (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary, and Qualified Individual programs). It directs the state division to disregard income up to 165% of the federal poverty level when determining eligibility for these programs, making it easier for low-income seniors to qualify. If applications for the Qualified Individual Program exceed available funding, the state must implement a waiting list. The state must submit a formal plan amendment within 30 days of the bill's effective date to put these changes into effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a single government-run health care system called the Massachusetts Health Care Trust, providing universal coverage to all Massachusetts residents. It eliminates patient cost-sharing (like deductibles and co-pays) and requires the Trust to cover all medically appropriate services, including dental, behavioral health, and long-term care. The Trust would replace current private and public insurance plans, funding care through state revenue to ensure coverage regardless of income, health status, or employment. It directly affects every Massachusetts resident (as defined, including homeless individuals and undocumented people) and all health care providers in the state. The system aims to reduce administrative costs, control spending, and expand preventive care while guaranteeing continuous coverage without job or enrollment changes.

Maddy summaryHD 3390 modifies Massachusetts tax law to address income from foreign entities. It specifies that amounts included in federal income under Section 951A of the IRS Code (related to global intangible low-taxed income) will no longer be treated as dividends for state tax purposes, and taxpayers can only deduct 50% of this income instead of the full amount. This primarily affects businesses and individuals with foreign income subject to Section 951A provisions. The changes apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover and reimburse new telehealth services, including e-consults (provider-to-provider digital advice), e-visits (patient-initiated digital check-ins), and remote monitoring of health data. It directly affects patients seeking virtual care, healthcare providers delivering telehealth services, and insurance carriers. Key provisions mandate coverage for these services without extra prior authorization compared to in-person visits, include interpreter services for non-English speakers or Deaf patients, and require insurers to offer digital health literacy programs for patients with low tech skills. The bill also creates a shared portal for applying to affordable broadband programs to support digital access.