Healthcare (Public Health)

passed · Massachusetts · House May 28, 2026

H 2553: An Act ensuring access to medical records

HD 3250, titled "An Act ensuring access to medical records," prohibits healthcare entities from charging separate fees for transmitting patient electronic medical records. This applies specifically when data transmission is needed for coverage, payment, care coordination, or health care quality improvement efforts. The bill directly affects hospitals, insurers, and other healthcare providers handling electronic health records. It creates a concrete policy change by banning additional charges for this standard administrative function, improving access to records without cost barriers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures patient access to medical records by addressing fees, improving access and protecting patient rights under Public Health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1525: An Act to ensure safe medication administration

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1525) of James B. Eldridge and Michael D. Brady for legislation to ensure safe medication administration. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures safe medication administration under Public Health, directly protecting patient safety and strengthening public health programs per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 8, 2026

S 1571: An Act for healthy kids, healthy futures

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1571) of Jason M. Lewis and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to prohibit the marketing of sugary drinks in schools. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits sugary drink marketing in schools, a public health measure targeting childhood obesity prevention.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2485: An Act concerning the cardiac health of children and student athletes

This bill requires healthcare professionals performing annual physicals for children aged 19 or younger to include specific cardiac screening questions during well-child visits and preparticipation sports exams. It mandates the use of a standardized 14-point cardiac screening form developed by major medical organizations, asking about family heart history, fainting during exercise, chest pain, and other warning signs. Schools must verify students have completed this screening before allowing participation in K-12 athletic teams, and healthcare providers must complete a new training module on cardiac assessment. The law creates a single statewide form for all schools and requires departments of education and public health to implement these requirements by 2026-2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates cardiac health screenings for student athletes under public health initiative, advancing preventive healthcare access and safety measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 8, 2026

S 1552: An Act relative to expanding the newborn screening panel

By Mr. Keenan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1552) of John F. Keenan for legislation to expand the newborn screening panel to include pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands public health newborn screening panel to include additional condition, improving early detection and access to care for infants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1608: An Act relative to physician assistant interstate compact

By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1608) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Jason M. Lewis, Steven George Xiarhos and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to physician assistant interstate compact. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables physician assistants to practice across state lines, improving healthcare access and provider mobility under Public Health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2458: An Act establishing a commission to study the promotion of direct primary care services

HD 3737 establishes a commission to study direct primary care services in Massachusetts, where patients pay doctors directly for care without insurance involvement. The commission will examine benefits like lower costs, cost transparency, better access to care, and improved health outcomes, then develop strategies to promote these services. Composed of state health officials, legislative leaders, healthcare industry representatives, and patient advocates, the commission must hold at least three public hearings and submit a report with recommendations within 12 months. This bill does not change current law but creates a study to inform future policy decisions about expanding direct primary care. The commission's work aims to ease pressure on the healthcare system and improve patient access.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes commission to study promotion of direct primary care services, indicating intent to advance healthcare access models under Public Health.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3072: An Act for an enabling authority - Vaccination Tax Credit

This bill creates a state tax credit of at least $100 for Massachusetts residents who provide medical documentation proving they received approved vaccines for diseases designated by the Department of Public Health (DPH). It directly affects individuals who get required vaccines for diseases the DPH identifies as eligible. The key mechanism requires taxpayers to attach their vaccination records to their state income tax return to claim the credit. The credit aims to encourage vaccination by offering financial incentive, based on DPH-approved vaccines, without mandating vaccination.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a vaccination tax credit, providing direct tax relief to eligible individuals, aligning with tax relief indicators under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tax credit to incentivize vaccinations, promoting public health access and preventive care within healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 2382: An Act relative to office-based surgical centers

This bill amends the legal definition of "office-based surgical center" in Massachusetts law. It defines such centers as offices or facilities owned/operated by medical practitioners (solo or group) providing surgical services, while explicitly excluding hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and facilities following specific surgical guidelines. The definition also clarifies that dental practices and oral/maxillofacial surgery by licensed dentists are not covered under this definition. This change directly affects medical practices operating in non-hospital settings seeking to provide surgical services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill regulates office-based surgical centers under Public Health, establishing safety standards to improve patient access and protect rights in healthcare delivery.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2540: An Act relative to the community health initiative payment

HD 3249 waives a specific community health initiative requirement for nursing facility applicants seeking to build a geropsychiatric unit. This applies only to applicants who previously had to file a "determination of need" to meet the Department of Public Health's requirement to reduce overcrowding. The bill directly affects nursing facility developers planning facilities with geropsychiatric units that would otherwise need to comply with the waived initiative. It changes the Department's enforcement of this requirement for those specific applicants.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates nursing facility requirements under public health, strengthening oversight of community health initiatives per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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