An Act relative to promoting healthcare access and affordability for patients

This bill aims to improve healthcare access and affordability in Massachusetts by modifying how prescription drug rebates are handled and requiring a study on future treatments. It repeals existing sections of the law and adds new rules requiring insurance carriers to annually certify that they pass at least 80 percent of estimated pharmaceutical rebates to patients through reduced cost-sharing, with penalties for non-compliance. The legislation also mandates that carriers keep specific rebate data confidential as trade secrets while reporting compliance to the state. Additionally, the bill directs state officials to analyze and report on potential barriers to accessing cell and gene therapies for MassHealth beneficiaries and other vulnerable groups over the next decade.