Healthcare

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 4952: An Act relative to the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder

H 4952 amends Massachusetts health insurance laws to expand who can diagnose and treat autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for insurance coverage. The bill updates definitions in multiple statutes to include licensed nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists alongside physicians for ASD diagnosis, treatment, and related pharmacy care. These changes require health insurance policies to cover services by these providers starting January 1, 2027, directly affecting individuals seeking ASD care and insurers managing coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands insurance coverage for ASD diagnosis/treatment to include nurse practitioners and psychiatric specialists, improving access to care under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Insurance Mental Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 4942: An Act relative to increasing consumer access to licensed rehabilitation counselors

This bill (H 4942) expands the definition of "licensed mental health professional" in five Massachusetts statutes to include licensed rehabilitation counselors. It directly affects rehabilitation counselors by recognizing them as qualified providers under existing laws governing insurance, healthcare services, and professional scope. The key mechanism adds "licensed rehabilitation counselor" to the list of covered professionals in sections related to mental health services, insurance coverage, and healthcare financing. This change aims to increase consumer access to rehabilitation counseling services by ensuring they are included in the same legal framework as other mental health professionals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands insurance coverage to include licensed rehabilitation counselors, improving patient access to mental health services as defined in Massachusetts statutes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Insurance Mental Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 5, 2026

H 4868: An Act relative to chaperones for medical exams

This bill requires all Massachusetts healthcare facilities (like hospitals, clinics, and long-term care centers) to implement a medical chaperone policy. It mandates that doctors or nurses inform patients before sensitive exams (such as those involving genitalia, breasts, or rectal areas) about their option to request a trained medical chaperone or, if unavailable, a family/friend chaperone (called a "familial chaperone"). Facilities must document these disclosures and requests in patients' electronic health records, provide educational materials to patients and familial chaperones, and report annual usage data to the state. The policy directly affects patients receiving intimate exams, healthcare facilities, and medical staff who must follow these new disclosure and documentation procedures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates patient disclosure and chaperone options during sensitive exams, protecting patient autonomy and safety in healthcare settings per bill's requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 4950: An Act relative to insulin access

This bill caps the out-of-pocket cost for insulin at $100 per 30-day supply for all patients, regardless of insulin type or prescription amount. It requires pharmaceutical companies with Medicaid rebate agreements to offer free 30-day insulin supplies to individuals urgently needing insulin (with less than 7 days' supply) who meet income criteria (≤400% of federal poverty level) and lack private drug coverage. Eligible individuals must provide proof of financial need and have a prescription. The cap applies to all insurers, manufacturers, and government programs covered under the bill, ensuring consistent cost limits without requiring additional coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCaps insulin out-of-pocket costs at $100/month and mandates free insulin for low-income patients needing urgent access, directly improving healthcare access and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Prescription Drugs

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 5610: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for responding to recent federal actions

This bill primarily allocates funding for Massachusetts state operations in fiscal year 2026, including $12.3 million for indigent legal services and $300 million for group health insurance. It also includes significant policy changes: it removes a citizenship application requirement for financial assistance programs and adds privacy protections for applicant information. Most notably, Section 5 creates new rules for child care settings, requiring law enforcement to obtain a judicial warrant before entering licensed child care centers, family child care homes, or school-aged programs for immigration enforcement. These rules mandate that staff verify warrants, obtain director approval before allowing entry, and limit access to areas without children. The policy directly affects child care providers and law enforcement interactions within these facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $12.3M for indigent legal services and $300M for group health insurance, directly funding public services through state appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $12.3M for indigent legal services, directly supporting defendants' access to counsel in criminal cases.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $300M for group health insurance, removes citizenship barriers for financial assistance, and adds privacy protections - expanding access and strengthening coverage.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves citizenship requirement for financial assistance and adds privacy protections, increasing immigrant access to state services while limiting data sharing with federal enforcement.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly adds privacy protections for applicant information, directly advancing data privacy - a core component of technology policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Insurance Citizenship & Naturalization Enforcement

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SD 3556: An Act to support men's mental health

By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation to support men's mental health. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly supports men's mental health services, directly advancing mental health care within healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 22, 2026

HD 5511: An Act to establish a celiac disease screening pilot program

By Representative Badger of Plymouth, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michelle L. Badger and Joan B. Lovely for legislation to establish a celiac disease screening pilot program for certain children. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes a public health screening pilot program for celiac disease in children, expanding preventive healthcare access under public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 23, 2026

H 4944: An Act relative to emergency insulin access

H 4944 allows pharmacists to dispense insulin in emergency situations without immediate prescription authorization. It defines an "emergency situation" as one where a patient cannot quickly obtain a doctor's approval, and requires pharmacists to use their professional judgment to determine if insulin is essential to prevent harm. The bill limits emergency insulin dispensing to a 30-day supply (or standard unit size if larger) and prohibits repeat dispensing to the same patient more than once every six months. This directly affects patients facing urgent insulin needs and pharmacists who may provide this emergency care under these specific guidelines. The law amends multiple sections of state law to include this emergency access provision.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables pharmacists to provide emergency insulin without immediate prescription, improving patient access to essential medication during critical situations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 4897: An Act improving access to community behavioral health centers

H 4897 requires most health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover "behavioral health bundled services" from licensed community behavioral health centers on equal terms. This applies to group insurance for Commonwealth employees (active and retired), individual accident/sickness policies, hospital service plans, and health maintenance contracts. The bill mandates that these plans provide nondiscriminatory coverage for medically necessary mental health, developmental, or substance use disorder care delivered through defined community centers. It directly affects insured individuals and insurers by standardizing coverage requirements across multiple insurance types. The law applies to policies issued or renewed within or outside Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance coverage for behavioral health services, expanding access to mental health care under Massachusetts law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Mental Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 30, 2026

H 4936: An Act to improve child and adolescent mental health services

This bill (H 4936) standardizes the definition of "licensed mental health professional" across multiple Massachusetts health care statutes. It explicitly includes psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, nurse specialists, and educational psychologists within their scope of practice. The change applies to laws governing mental health services, insurance coverage, and health care financing (specifically Chapters 32A, 175, 176A, 176B, and 176G). This procedural update ensures consistent terminology for providers and services, directly affecting how mental health care is regulated and accessed in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStandardizes mental health professional scope, expands coverage under insurance/financing statutes, directly improving access to services for children/adolescents.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Insurance Mental Health

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