Healthcare

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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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 1389: An Act relative to state funding of certain nonprofits

HD 274 prohibits the state from providing any funds to Planned Parenthood Federation of America or its affiliates, overriding all other existing laws. This bill directly affects Planned Parenthood and its affiliated organizations by blocking state financial support. The key provision is a clear, categorical ban on state funding for these entities. The policy change is a direct restriction on state budget allocations, with no exceptions specified.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds Planned Parenthood by prohibiting state funding, restricting government spending on nonprofits under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareProhibits state funding for Planned Parenthood, a major healthcare provider, restricting access to reproductive health services and defunding a key public health initiative.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 8, 2026

H 1135: An Act for supportive care for serious mental illness

By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1135) of Marjorie C. Decker relative to healthcare insurance coverage for supportive care for serious mental illness. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates healthcare insurance coverage for supportive care in serious mental illness, expanding access to mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 4, 2025

H 1399: An Act relative to an individual Medicare marketplace option

This bill (HD 3446) allows eligible retired state employees and their Medicare-eligible dependents to enroll in health insurance plans purchased through the individual Medicare marketplace. It requires health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) for these retirees to cover the costs of the lowest-cost Medicare Supplement Plan 1 and Part D prescription drug coverage in Massachusetts. The bill mandates that HRAs provide minimum annual funding equal to 50% of the sum of these two costs (based on annual rates set by the state). This change directly affects retired state employees and their Medicare-eligible family members who previously had limited options for supplemental coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates individual Medicare marketplace option, expanding coverage choices for beneficiaries under Health Care Financing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 310: An Act relative to mental health education

This bill (S 310) proposes requiring public schools to incorporate mental health education into their curricula. It directly affects school systems and students by mandating the inclusion of age-appropriate mental health topics. The key provision is a requirement for schools to develop and implement mental health education programs, though specific content details are not outlined in the abstract. The bill aims to address mental health awareness and education at the foundational level in schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mental health education in K-12 curricula, enhancing student well-being programs per bill's requirement95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health education in schools, directly supporting mental health awareness and prevention as part of healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 18, 2025

H 1296: An Act to protect 340B providers

H 1296, titled "An Act to protect 340B providers," is a bill introduced by Representative Sean Reid to support healthcare providers participating in the federal 340B drug pricing program, which allows safety-net providers to purchase medications at discounted rates. The abstract does not specify the bill's exact mechanisms or provisions, only stating it aims to protect these providers. It falls under the Financial Services committee, suggesting a focus on financial or operational safeguards. Without additional details from the full bill text, the specific policy changes or direct effects on providers cannot be described.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects 340B providers, ensuring safety-net healthcare facilities maintain discounted drug access for patients, directly strengthening healthcare affordability and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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