Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 14, 2025

H 64: Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution for a Constitutional right to health care

By Representative Day of Stoneham (by request), a petition (accompanied by proposal for constitutional amendment, House, No. 64) of Vincent Lawrence Dixon for a legislative amendment to the Constitution to establish a right to health care. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly proposes a constitutional right to healthcare, advancing patient access and protecting healthcare as a fundamental right per title and summary.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1736: An Act relative to determining capacity and invoking the health care proxy

This bill amends Massachusetts law (Chapter 201D) to update terminology related to healthcare decision-making. It replaces "attending physician" with "attending health care provider" throughout the law, explicitly including nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists as qualified decision-makers. This change directly affects patients who have designated a health care proxy, clarifying that their primary care provider (not limited to physicians) can legally act under the proxy. The key mechanism is a consistent terminology update across multiple sections of the law to reflect modern healthcare team structures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill clarifies health care proxy procedures to protect patient decision-making rights, aligning with patient rights support in healthcare policy.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 4013: An Act to improve healthcare and reduce consumer costs

This bill prohibits new for-profit hospitals, clinics, and health insurance companies from obtaining licenses in Massachusetts. Specifically, it bans new for-profit acute care hospitals (Section 2), for-profit ambulatory surgery clinics (Section 1), and for-profit health insurance companies (Section 3) from operating within the state. The law applies only to new licenses - not existing for-profit facilities - and takes effect 18 months after enactment. It directly affects healthcare providers and insurers seeking to establish new for-profit operations in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill title explicitly states 'improve healthcare and reduce consumer costs', directly aligning with support indicators for advancing healthcare access and affordability.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 1204: An Act establishing pregnancy as a qualifying event

This bill adds pregnancy as a qualifying event for special enrollment in Massachusetts' state health insurance exchange under the Affordable Care Act. It allows pregnant individuals to enroll in a health plan within 30 days of pregnancy start (with certification from a licensed healthcare provider) and requires coverage to be effective the first day of the following month. The change directly affects pregnant people seeking health insurance, removing typical enrollment barriers during pregnancy. Coverage must begin no later than the first day of the month after certification is received. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes pregnancy as a qualifying event for special enrollment in health plans, expanding access to coverage during pregnancy per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 5, 2026

H 1291: An Act further clarifying the delivery of health care

HD 805 clarifies rules for healthcare provider licensing by amending Section 75 of Chapter 260 (2020). It modifies existing law to specify that certain provisions apply to "health care provider" (excluding dental providers). The bill directly affects non-dental healthcare providers, such as hospitals or clinics, by ensuring the clarification applies to them. It does not change requirements for licensed dentists. The change is technical, focusing on precise language in the existing law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill clarifies healthcare delivery, implying system improvement for better access and service without restrictions or defunding.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1706: An Act to encourage quality reviews and reduce costs in health care

This bill modifies Massachusetts medical malpractice law to change how certain cases are handled. It sets a 50% threshold for patients to recover damages for "loss of opportunity" (e.g., a better health outcome), requires plaintiffs to prove a provider breached the standard of care, and changes interest rates on malpractice judgments to a Treasury yield-based rate plus 2%. These provisions directly affect healthcare providers facing lawsuits and patients filing malpractice claims. The bill does not address healthcare costs or quality reviews directly, as its focus is solely on litigation procedures and damages calculation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill title and summary directly target improving healthcare quality and reducing costs, aligning with support for efficient, accessible care without restricting services.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2524: An Act protecting Norwood healthcare access

This bill directs the Department of Public Health to reissue license number 2114, originally issued November 6, 2022, to Norwood Performance Therapy. It ensures the facility can continue providing essential services like chemotherapy, radiation, radiology, and other life-saving treatments. The law specifically maintains existing healthcare access for Norwood Performance Therapy and any other facilities operating under this license, preventing service interruption as of the bill's enactment date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly authorizes maintaining healthcare services in Norwood/Foxborough to protect access, directly aligning with 'protect' indicator for healthcare support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 9, 2026

H 1210: An Act relative to AI health communications and informed patient consent

This bill requires healthcare providers to inform patients if AI generates their health information and provide contact details for human providers. It also mandates health insurance companies to disclose when AI tools are used in claims reviews, including details about the tools. Insurers must annually report to the insurance division about AI algorithms used in care reviews, including how they address bias related to race, gender, or other protected characteristics. The law directly affects patients, healthcare providers, and insurance carriers by increasing transparency around AI in health communications and insurance decisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates informed patient consent for AI health communications, protecting patient rights in healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates informed consent for AI health communications, requiring transparency and protecting patient data privacy in sensitive healthcare contexts, aligning with consumer protection regulations for technology use.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 860: An Act establishing medicare for all in Massachusetts

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 860) of James B. Eldridge, Lindsay N. Sabadosa, Margaret R. Scarsdale, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish medicare for all in Massachusetts. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly establishes universal Medicare coverage in Massachusetts, expanding health insurance access and funding for all residents under Health Care Financing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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passed both · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 26, 2025

S 2522: An Act strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2522) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Cindy F. Friedman, Andrea Joy Campbell, Attorney General , Joanne M. Comerford, Julian Cyr and other members of the General Court for legislation to strengthen health care protections in the Commonwealth. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to strengthen healthcare protections, aligning with support indicators like protection and advancement.95% confidence

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