Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 775: An Act to increase enrollment in affordable health plan networks

By Mr. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 775) of Edward J. Kennedy for legislation to increase enrollment in affordable health plan networks. Financial Services.

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

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 1318: An Act allowing for increased investment in health care providers

This bill amends a section of state law governing hospital service corporations. It allows these corporations to make loans, guarantee loans, or invest in hospitals and other health service providers. The purpose is to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase benefits in healthcare delivery for subscribers and patients. This directly affects hospital service corporations and the healthcare providers they work with, by expanding their financial partnership options. The change modifies existing rules to enable these new types of financial support.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly authorizes increased investment in healthcare providers through contracts/loans for non-profit hospitals, directly aligning with funding and strengthening healthcare indicators.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 1138: An Act to increase health insurer reporting transparency

This bill requires health insurers to submit detailed financial and operational data to the state center, including metrics like operating margins, enrollment, premiums, medical expenses, and administrative costs. The center must analyze this data and publish public reports periodically, including annually, showing industry-wide and payer-specific information. It directly affects all private and public health insurers operating in the state by mandating transparency in their financial reporting. The reports will provide accessible data on insurer performance for public review, without specifying outcomes or policy impacts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly increases health insurer reporting transparency, promoting accountability in healthcare coverage and aligning with patient rights protections.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 782: An Act to increase health insurer reporting transparency

SD 1556 requires health insurers to submit specific data to state agencies and mandates public reporting of that information. The bill directs the state health center to annually evaluate and publish insurer data metrics (including coverage, costs, and quality measures) in a public report, and directs the Insurance Commissioner to make all submitted insurer data easily accessible online each year. This directly affects health insurance companies by requiring them to provide standardized data, and it directly benefits consumers and researchers by making insurer performance data publicly available. The key change is creating a consistent, transparent process for releasing insurer data that was previously not systematically shared.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases health insurer reporting transparency, enhancing accountability and oversight in healthcare coverage systems.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 711: An Act relative to rate equity for community health centers

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 711) of Julian Cyr, Joanne M. Comerford, Paul R. Feeney and David T. Vieira for legislation to require prospective payment system methodology for reimbursement to community health centers. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires prospective payment methodology for community health center reimbursement, ensuring stable funding and equitable access to care services.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 5, 2026

H 1267: An Act relative to unilateral contract changes

This bill prohibits health insurance companies from including clauses in contracts with healthcare providers that allow termination without cause or unilateral changes to key terms like payment rates, covered services, or quality policies. It requires insurers to provide written notice of any proposed changes at least 90 days before the contract renewal date, with changes only taking effect after the current contract term ends. The state health insurance commission must also avoid purchasing policies from insurers that violate these rules. The law directly affects healthcare providers (doctors, clinics, hospitals) and insurers by increasing contract stability and transparency.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates health insurance contracts to prevent unilateral changes, protecting patient access and rights in coverage.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 814: An Act relative to health insurance coverage notification

By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 814) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation to give patients a 60 day notice of any increase to out of pocket health insurance costs. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 60-day notice for out-of-pocket cost increases, protecting patient rights and transparency in health insurance coverage as per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 713: An Act relative to adequate notice for health insurance modifications

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 713) of Julian Cyr for legislation relative to adequate notice for health insurance modifications. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to provide adequate notice before modifying coverage, protecting consumer rights and ensuring transparency in health insurance changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 874: An Act strengthening mental health centers

This bill (SD 981) requires Massachusetts health insurers to increase minimum payments for mental health and substance use services provided by behavioral health clinics by 5% starting in 2027. It mandates that clinics receive at least 20% higher payment rates for these services compared to independent practitioners (like solo therapists). The state must review these rates every two years, adjusting for inflation, comparing staff wages to state averages, and considering new government costs. The bill directly affects behavioral health clinics and independent practitioners who provide mental health services in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthening mental health centers supports criminal justice reform by improving rehabilitation programs and reducing recidivism through better mental health services.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to strengthen mental health centers, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare policy as defined in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2219: An Act expanding access to mental health services and strengthening risk assessment protocols

HD 1470 adds licensed mental health counselors to the list of professionals authorized to request a 3-day emergency hospitalization for individuals at risk of harming themselves or others due to mental health issues. Previously, only physicians, psychologists, and certain other licensed providers could initiate this process, but the bill now includes counselors licensed under Chapter 112. The law requires that when applying for a hold, the professional must explain the risk and communicate with the hospital beforehand when possible. This change directly affects licensed mental health counselors by expanding their emergency authority and improves access to crisis care for individuals in need.

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

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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