Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 2220: An Act relative to access to psychiatric collaborative care

This bill requires Massachusetts insurers and health plans to pay primary care providers at minimum rates equal to Medicare's standard rates for psychiatric collaborative care services, using specific billing codes (99492, 99493, 99494, and G2214). It directly affects primary care teams, psychiatric consultants, and insurers by mandating annual payment adjustments to match Medicare rates for these services. The bill specifies that these services must be paid on a fee-for-service basis, not included in bundled payments. This applies to Medicaid managed care organizations, private health insurers, and all health plans operating in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly provides healthcare coverage for psychiatric collaborative care under mental health services, directly advancing patient access to mental health treatment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 5, 2025

H 2205: An Act expanding loan repayment assistance for primary care physicians

HD 3491 expands a state loan repayment program to include family physicians, pediatricians, internal medicine doctors, and obstetricians/gynecologists. To qualify, primary care physicians must work with a significant number of public insurance patients (as defined by the health department), have outstanding student debt, not participate in other repayment programs, and sign a 4-year contract with the state. Part-time providers receive assistance proportional to their hours worked. The bill aims to support primary care access in public health settings by reducing financial barriers for qualifying doctors.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands loan repayment assistance for primary care physicians, increasing healthcare workforce access and provider availability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care Substance Abuse

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signed · Massachusetts · Senate Aug 7, 2025

S 2543: An Act strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth

Senate, June 26, 2025 -- Text of the Senate Bill strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth (Senate, No. 2543) (being the text of Senate, No. 2538, printed as amended).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill title explicitly states 'strengthening health care protections' with no ambiguity in language or intent.95% confidence

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 17, 2025

S 2588: An Act relative to culturally competent and effective health care

Senate, August 2025 -- The committee on Public Health to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1576) of Liz Miranda for legislation relative to culturally competent and effective health care, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No 2588).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePromotes culturally competent healthcare, improving patient access and care quality for diverse populations, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 16, 2026

H 1403: An Act to ensure equitable health coverage for children

HD 2862 establishes a new MassHealth program providing comprehensive health coverage to children and young adults under 21 in Massachusetts who are residents but cannot access standard Medicaid (Title XIX) or CHIP (Title XXI) benefits solely due to immigration status. It directly affects low-income immigrant youth who previously faced coverage barriers based on their immigration status. The bill mandates that benefits under this program be equivalent to those available under federal Medicaid/CHIP for similar income and age groups. Crucially, the program must maximize federal funding, but eligibility and benefits cannot be reduced if federal funds become unavailable.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to expand equitable health coverage for children, directly advancing access and strengthening public health funding for minors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 21, 2026

H 1417: An Act to advance health equity

HD 138 creates new definitions for "Health equity" and "Priority population" (communities facing health disparities) within Massachusetts health law. It requires state health agencies to appoint a chief health equity officer, integrate health equity into all agency duties, and establish specific expenditure targets for primary care and behavioral health services (a 30% increase above baseline through 2026). The bill mandates annual reports tracking health inequities, including data on costs of disparities and strategies to reduce them, and requires public hearings before setting new spending targets. These changes directly affect state health agencies, boards, and healthcare entities managing public health funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill title 'advance health equity' and summary directly target healthcare equity through financing, aligning with support indicators like improving access and equity.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 1420: An Act to prevent medical debt by restoring health safety net eligibility levels

HD 1587 expands eligibility for the health safety net program to cover uninsured or underinsured patients earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL), directly affecting low-to-moderate income residents who previously faced gaps in care. It establishes that patients earning between 200%-400% FPL may have a deductible, while those below 200% FPL have full coverage. The bill also mandates retroactive eligibility for 180 days prior to an application. Additionally, it creates a task force to study the Health Safety Net Trust Fund's financing, including hospital payments and reimbursements, with a report due to the legislature within one year.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestoring health safety net eligibility expands access to healthcare services and prevents medical debt, directly advancing patient access and coverage as per support indicators.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 1363: An Act to extend enhanced Medicaid benefits to eligible hospitals

This bill extends extra Medicaid payments to specific hospitals that received enhanced benefits under a 2020 law. Eligible hospitals - non-profit or municipal acute care facilities that got enhanced Medicaid payments in 2021-2022 - will receive monthly payments equal to 5% of their average monthly Medicaid payments for inpatient and outpatient services from the previous year. Payments are capped at $35 million total annually and cannot reduce existing Medicaid payments or be used to calculate future payments. The bill ensures these additional funds are provided directly to qualifying hospitals without offsetting their regular Medicaid reimbursements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends enhanced Medicaid benefits to hospitals, increasing healthcare funding and access to services under Health Care Financing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 901: An Act to advance health equity

By Mr. Payano, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 901) of Pavel M. Payano, Liz Miranda, Manny Cruz, Patricia D. Jehlen and others for legislation to advance health equity. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to 'advance health equity' through legislation, directly aligning with indicators like improving patient access and reducing disparities in healthcare services.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 11, 2026

H 586: An Act relative to type 1 diabetes informational materials for the parents and guardians of students

H 586 requires Massachusetts public schools to provide informational materials about type 1 diabetes to parents and guardians of students diagnosed with the condition. The materials must cover recognizing symptoms and managing insulin needs during school hours. This bill directly affects families of students with type 1 diabetes and school staff responsible for health protocols.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires schools to provide diabetes management materials, ensuring students with type 1 diabetes can safely attend and participate in education, directly supporting educational access.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires schools to provide diabetes management materials, improving student health access and safety per healthcare topic indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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