Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1526: An Act putting patients over profits in hospital licensure

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1526) of James B. Eldridge for legislation to put patients over profits in hospital licensure. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prioritizes patient interests over hospital profits in licensure, strengthening patient care standards under Public Health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medical Licensing Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 20, 2026

H 1393: An Act to promote graduate medical education

This bill requires MassHealth (Massachusetts' Medicaid program) to fund graduate medical education payments for residency and training programs in community-based settings, specifically targeting primary care, behavioral health, and areas with physician shortages. It directly affects community health centers, family medicine nurse practitioners, dentists, and dental hygienists by making them eligible for these payments. Key provisions mandate MassHealth to seek maximum federal reimbursement, develop implementing rules within 180 days, prioritize placements in community settings serving high public payer populations, and consult with the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. The policy changes focus on expanding access to training in underserved healthcare areas through targeted funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds MassHealth payments for graduate medical education training, directly supporting healthcare workforce development and financing.90% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 4333: An Act relative to consumer deductibles

This bill (H 4333) requires health insurers to calculate enrollees' out-of-pocket costs more transparently. Specifically, it mandates that all cost-sharing payments (like deductibles and copays) made by or on behalf of an enrollee must be fully applied toward their total annual out-of-pocket obligation at the time services are provided. It also clarifies that insurers must include all covered health care services within essential health benefits categories when calculating annual cost-sharing limits. The law applies to health plans entered into, amended, extended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, directly affecting insurers and enrollees in Massachusetts health plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates transparent cost-sharing calculations, ensuring payments fully apply toward annual deductibles, improving consumer clarity and access to healthcare costs.85% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 4, 2025

H 4343: An Act ensuring access to full spectrum pregnancy care

This bill amends multiple health insurance laws to expand access to midwifery services and clarify coverage for pregnancy care. It updates definitions in chapters 32A, 118E, 175, 176A, 176B, and 176G to include "licensed certified professional midwives" alongside existing providers and removes language restricting coverage for "abortion or abortion-related care" in insurance plans. The changes require health insurers, health plans, and Medicaid managed care organizations to comply with these updated coverage standards. The bill directly affects health insurance plans subject to these chapters, ensuring broader access to midwifery services and removing prior exclusions for abortion-related care within pregnancy coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands midwifery coverage and removes abortion-related care restrictions, directly increasing access to pregnancy services under insurance mandates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 15, 2026

H 4336: An Act relative to insurance coverage of mobile integrated health

This bill (H 4336) requires health insurers and Medicaid programs to cover medical, behavioral, and health services provided through mobile integrated health care programs approved by the Department of Public Health, on the same terms as in-person care at health facilities. It prohibits insurers from denying coverage, reducing payments, or imposing higher out-of-pocket costs (like deductibles or copays) for these mobile services compared to facility-based care. The law applies to group insurance plans, Medicaid managed care organizations, private health insurance policies, and employer health funds. It directly affects insurers, healthcare providers offering mobile services, and patients using these programs, ensuring equitable access without financial penalties for mobile delivery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance coverage for mobile health services, preventing higher costs or denials compared to in-person care, expanding access to healthcare options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Telehealth

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 4, 2025

H 4339: An Act relative to patient access to biomarker testing to provide appropriate therapy

This bill requires health insurance plans covering commonwealth employees (under group insurance) and Medicaid enrollees to cover biomarker testing - tests analyzing tissue or blood to identify biological markers for guiding treatment - when supported by medical evidence like FDA approvals, clinical guidelines, or CMS determinations. Insurers must approve or deny prior authorization requests within 72 hours (24 hours in emergencies), with automatic approval if no response is given. The bill also mandates coverage without unnecessary disruptions, such as multiple biopsies, to ensure continuous patient care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for biomarker testing, improving patient access to evidence-based therapy under medical guidelines for Medicaid and group plans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Aug 4, 2026

H 4338: An Act to reduce inequities in access to medical procedures

This bill prohibits health insurance carriers from lowering reimbursement rates for doctors' evaluation/management or procedural services solely because the provider also billed other covered services (like minor surgery) on the same day. It directly affects medical providers and insurers by voiding any contract terms allowing such payment reductions. The key provision ensures providers aren't penalized financially for delivering multiple covered services during a single patient visit, promoting fair payment for comprehensive care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prohibits insurers from penalizing providers for multiple services during one visit, reducing inequities and improving access to medical procedures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 4332: An Act relative to pharmacists as healthcare providers

This bill expands pharmacists' role in healthcare by allowing them to diagnose, test for, and treat specific illnesses like influenza, strep infections, and public health threats (including COVID-19) under state guidelines. Pharmacists must follow department-established procedures and can use federally waived tests or standardized screening protocols. Crucially, the bill requires insurance companies to reimburse pharmacists the same as physicians or nurses for these services, mandating new billing codes to ensure fair payment. It directly affects pharmacists, patients seeking care for these conditions, and health insurers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands pharmacists' healthcare roles (diagnosis/treatment) and mandates equal insurance reimbursement, improving patient access for common illnesses/public health threats.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 1380: An Act relative to healthcare industry recruitment and education for the 21st Century

This bill creates a 23-member Healthcare Industry Recruitment and Education Advisory Council to advise state agencies on workforce development strategies and establishes the HIRE Fund, financed by excise taxes and other sources. The fund must allocate at least 30% annually through competitive grants to support healthcare education, including facility upgrades, expanded health science programs, faculty pipelines, and culturally competent curricula in low-income schools. It specifically targets increasing diversity in healthcare careers by prioritizing grants for underrepresented youth through summer internships, mentorship, and partnerships with healthcare providers. The bill directly affects healthcare education institutions, K-12 schools in underserved areas, and underrepresented student populations seeking healthcare careers. The council must submit annual recommendations by March 31, including draft legislation to implement its findings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates healthcare recruitment/education advisory council to strengthen workforce development and industry readiness, aligning with workforce support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 28, 2025

H 1311: An Act ensuring access to full spectrum pregnancy care

This bill amends Massachusetts health insurance laws to expand coverage for midwifery services. It updates definitions in multiple statutes to include "licensed certified professional midwives" alongside existing providers and removes the phrase "for abortion or abortion-related care" from coverage exclusions. These changes apply to health insurance policies under Chapters 32A, 118E, 175, 176A, 176B, and 176G, requiring insurers to cover a broader range of midwifery services without prior restrictions. The commissioner of health insurance must ensure compliance with these updated requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures access to full spectrum pregnancy care, directly improving patient access to reproductive health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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