Healthcare

introduced · Massachusetts · House Mar 5, 2026

HD 5706: A communication from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (see Section 30 of Chapter 285 of the Acts of 2024) submitting its “Report on the Plan to End Operations at the Massachusetts Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center”

This bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services to develop and submit a plan by December 31, 2026, to end operations at the Massachusetts Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center (MASAC) as a secure facility for involuntary treatment of substance use disorders. The plan must identify and approve alternative facilities with sufficient capacity to handle individuals currently committed under state law, while ensuring geographic distribution across the state. The department must provide quarterly reports to the legislature detailing patient census numbers, transfer statistics, new facility capacities, and financial impacts of the transition.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill mandates closing a substance abuse treatment facility and requires alternatives, potentially limiting access to specialized care and reducing public health infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 2973: An Act to provide continuum of care for severe mental illness

The committee on Health Care Financing to whom was referred the Senate Bill to provide continuum of care for severe mental illness (Senate, No. 1115), - reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2973).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides continuum of care for severe mental illness, directly supporting mental health services and patient access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 1, 2026

H 5192: An Act authorizing the division of capital asset management and maintenance to take by eminent domain certain land in the town of Norwood

This bill authorizes the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to use eminent domain to acquire specific land parcels in Norwood owned by MPT of Norwood-Steward, LLC. The acquired land includes Norwood Hospital and any adjacent properties needed to support the project. After acquisition, the Division will transfer control of the land to the Department of Public Health, which will then assign it to a qualified nonprofit hospital operator. The stated goal is to ensure public access to healthcare, and the bill applies specifically to the town of Norwood and the named property owner.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables acquisition of Norwood Hospital land to ensure public access and transfer to nonprofit operator, directly supporting healthcare infrastructure and access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 25, 2026

H 5274: An Act relative to establishing protections for and ensuring access to harm reduction programming and services in the commonwealth

This bill establishes legal protections and access for harm reduction programs and services throughout the commonwealth, primarily affecting health organizations, service providers, and individuals involved in substance use support. It creates a new legal definition for harm reduction programs, which can include needle exchanges, distribution of opioid antagonists, drug testing services, and referrals to treatment, and requires these programs to be approved by the state department and local health boards. The legislation grants immunity from criminal prosecution, civil liability, and professional disciplinary action to program operators and participants acting in good faith, while excluding cases involving gross negligence, willful misconduct, or discriminatory behavior. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reporting on program activities and data collection to track outcomes, and clarifies that entering or using a harm reduction program cannot be used as grounds for law enforcement searches or seizures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes harm reduction programs which reduce criminalization of substance use, improve public health outcomes, and support rehabilitation rather than punitive measures.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes legal protections and access for harm reduction programs, expanding healthcare services and protecting patient rights in substance use treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Substance Abuse

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

HD 5749: An Act to prevent inappropriate denials by insurers for medically necessary services

By Representative Gómez of Easthampton, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Homar Gómez for legislation to prevent certain denials by insurers for medically necessary services. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill aims to prevent inappropriate denials of medically necessary services by insurers, protecting patient access to healthcare.90% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 30, 2026

S 2992: An Act establishing medical civil rights

Senate, March 23, 2026 -- The committee on The Judiciary to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1230) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to establish medical civil rights, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2992).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes medical civil rights, which protects patient rights and strengthens healthcare access and protections for medical professionals.75% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 5207: dental and other healthcare matters

This bill directs the Massachusetts House Committee on Financial Services to investigate and study eight related bills concerning dental insurance, ambulance payments, direct dental care agreements, universal dental care access, pregnancy enrollment in health plans, periodontal treatments, patient discharges, and for-profit healthcare regulations. The committee is authorized to conduct this review during a legislative recess and must submit its findings and any proposed legislation by December 31, 2026. This procedural measure does not enact new healthcare policies itself but instead initiates a formal review process to gather information and recommendations on these specific healthcare topics.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directs investigation into dental insurance, universal dental care access, and healthcare regulations, indicating intent to improve and strengthen healthcare services.75% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

H 5303: An Act expanding access to perimenopause and menopause care

This bill creates a special legislative commission to study perimenopause and menopause care across Massachusetts, with 19 members representing diverse health, community, and advocacy organizations. The commission will collect data on care access and disparities, evaluate insurance coverage and treatment options, identify gaps in medical education for providers, and submit a report with recommendations by December 2027. Additionally, the state Department of Public Health will develop public education materials in multiple languages about menopause symptoms and treatments, provide training for healthcare workers, and support research on causes and therapies. The bill also establishes September as Perimenopause Awareness Month to increase public understanding of this life stage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates commission to study and improve perimenopause/menopause care access, evaluate insurance coverage, and identify gaps in medical education, directly advancing healthcare access and quality.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 25, 2026

H 5276: An Act ending unnecessary hospitalizations

This bill requires healthcare providers and emergency responders to check for available community-based mental health services before seeking involuntary hospitalization for individuals with mental illness. It defines "community alternatives" to include crisis intervention teams, urgent care services, peer support programs, and other non-hospital settings, requiring that these options be considered first unless they are unavailable or the person refuses them. The law also mandates that hospitalization applications document why community alternatives were inappropriate or declined, and it requires the state department to track hospitalization data by demographics and maintain a public website listing available community services and their capacity.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes community-based mental health services and reduces unnecessary hospitalizations, protecting patient rights and expanding access to alternative care options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SD 3779: Primary Care Task Force Statutory Deliverable #4: Propose Payment Models to Increase Reimbursement for Primary Care Report

Report of the Health Policy Commission (pursuant to Chapter 343 of the Acts of 2024) submitting the fourth deliverable of the Primary Care Access, Delivery, and Payment Task Force (Primary Care Task Force) report

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill proposes payment models to increase reimbursement for primary care, directly supporting healthcare access and provider compensation.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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