Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate May 18, 2026

S 691: An Act ensuring access to healthcare and medically necessary food for children

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 691) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to ensure access to healthcare and medically necessary food for children. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly ensures healthcare access for children, directly aligning with support indicators like improved patient access and expanded coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 22, 2026

H 1137: An Act to strengthen the control of contagious and infectious diseases in the Commonwealth

HD 2178 allows the commissioner to designate contagious or infectious diseases of heightened public health importance. Once designated, health insurance plans, Medicaid programs, and other covered health plans must provide prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services without cost sharing (like copays or deductibles) or prior authorization. The requirement applies broadly to group health insurance, individual policies, and medical assistance programs, with limited exceptions for tax-exempt plans that would lose status under federal law. The commissioner must maintain a public list of designated diseases and review it annually to renew or remove designations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAddresses cost sharing for infectious disease healthcare services, reducing patient financial barriers and improving access to critical care.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1381: An Act expanding access to mental health services and strengthening risk assessment protocols

SD 472 expands who can initiate emergency mental health hospitalization by adding licensed mental health counselors to the list of professionals authorized to request a 3-day hold for individuals posing a risk of serious harm to themselves or others. The bill amends Chapter 123 to include licensed mental health counselors alongside physicians, psychologists, and clinical social workers when evaluating emergency cases, and allows them to apply directly for hospitalization. It also updates provisions to include counselors in police officer protocols for emergency referrals. This change directly affects mental health counselors by granting them new authority in crisis situations and impacts individuals in acute mental health crises by expanding access to emergency evaluation. The bill modifies existing emergency protocols without creating new services or funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands mental health access and strengthens protocols, directly advancing healthcare services per title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2194: An Act petitioning for an emergency restraint bill

This bill amends a law governing mental health hospitalization procedures. It adds an exception allowing police to bypass standard hospitalization protocols for individuals who have been arrested and detained, provided a police officer has already submitted a formal petition for hospitalization under existing rules. The change directly affects people in mental health crises who are also under arrest, streamlining the process for police to initiate hospitalization. The key mechanism requires police to file a specific petition before hospitalization can proceed for arrested individuals, altering the prior process where general hospitalization rules applied.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes emergency restraint procedures for mental health crises, enhancing access to urgent care services within mental health framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 692: An Act to facilitate timely access to quality health care by expanding access to patient navigation

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 692) of Brendan P. Crighton, James B. Eldridge and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to facilitate timely access to quality health care by expanding access to patient navigation. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands patient navigation to improve healthcare access, directly aligning with support indicators for enhancing patient access to quality care.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 1172: An Act relative to insurance coverage for new treatment

By Representative Gaskey of Carver, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1172) of John R. Gaskey relative to insurance coverage for gender-affirming health care services. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for gender-affirming healthcare services, expanding access to a specific medical treatment under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 31, 2026

H 4549: An Act to improve outcomes for persons with limb loss and limb difference

This bill (H 4549) requires Massachusetts health insurers and MassHealth to cover prosthetic and orthotic devices without discrimination based on disability. It mandates coverage for devices designed for daily use and specific physical activities (like showering or sports), ensures replacement without lifetime restrictions, and prohibits separate financial barriers for these devices. The law also guarantees access to at least two in-network providers and prevents denial of coverage for limb loss-related needs that would be covered for non-disabled individuals seeking similar medical care. It directly affects people with limb loss or difference who rely on these devices for mobility and daily living.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for prosthetics/orthotics without discrimination, removes financial barriers, ensures access to providers, and expands coverage for limb loss care - directly advancing healthcare access.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Aug 20, 2026

S 1574: An Act preserving access to hospital services

By Mr. Mark, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1574) of Paul W. Mark and Michael D. Brady for legislation to preserve access to hospital services. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly preserves hospital access, aligning with 'protects patient rights' and 'improves patient access' indicators under healthcare support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 28, 2026

H 1298: An Act to increase enrollment in affordable health plan networks

This bill modifies Massachusetts health insurance regulations to expand access to affordable plans. It creates new exemptions for insurers whose members are primarily in single-rate regions, enrolled in subsidized coverage (Chapter 176Q), or whose income comes mostly from government programs. Additionally, it requires insurers to include entire provider groups - like all doctors in a practice or all facilities - at once in select or tiered networks, rather than allowing partial inclusion. These changes directly affect health insurance carriers and healthcare providers by altering network design rules and reducing regulatory burden for certain insurers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to increase enrollment in affordable health plan networks, directly expanding access to healthcare coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 1203: An Act relative to pharmaceutical gag clauses

HD 2247 prohibits health insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers from including "gag clauses" in contracts with pharmacies. These clauses previously blocked pharmacists from telling patients about the actual cost of medications or cheaper alternatives, like paying cash. The bill requires pharmacists to share cost information and alternative purchasing options without penalty. Additionally, it ensures patients pay no more at the pharmacy than they would if paying cash for the medication without insurance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prohibits pharmaceutical gag clauses, allowing pharmacists to inform patients about cost-effective alternatives, protecting patient rights and access to affordable care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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