Healthcare

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 115: An Act relative to fair access for qualifying patients

HD 115 (An Act relative to fair access for qualifying patients) requires health insurance plans regulated in Massachusetts to reimburse healthcare providers who certify patients for medical cannabis use under Chapter 94I. It also allows these plans to include medical cannabis in their coverage formularies, provided it is listed on specific schedules within the state's Drug Control Program. This bill directly affects medical cannabis patients and healthcare providers who certify their use, as it creates a reimbursement pathway and expands coverage options. The key mechanism ensures providers can be paid for certifications and gives plans the option to cover cannabis as a medical treatment, subject to state drug scheduling rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurance reimbursement for medical cannabis certification and expands coverage options, improving patient access to healthcare services90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 165: An Act relative to small group eligibility

This bill increases the maximum employee count for "small group" health insurance eligibility from 50 to 75 employees. It directly affects small businesses with 51 to 75 employees, now allowing them to qualify as small groups for insurance purposes. The key provision amends a specific section of state law to adjust this numerical threshold. This change expands the number of businesses eligible for small group insurance coverage under existing regulations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands small business health insurance eligibility from 50 to 75 employees, increasing access to group coverage for more businesses and their employees.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands small business health insurance eligibility (51-75 employees), increasing access to employee benefits under employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 446: An Act establishing eligibility requirements for the health safety net

HD 446 establishes income-based eligibility for the health safety net program, making uninsured and underinsured residents with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level eligible for coverage, with those between 200% and 400% potentially facing a deductible. It also mandates retroactive coverage for up to 180 days prior to an application. Additionally, the bill creates a task force to study the Health Safety Net Trust Fund's financing, including hospital payments and reimbursements, with a report due by August 1, 2027. The task force must recommend policy changes to address funding shortfalls.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands eligibility to 400% FPL, mandates retroactive coverage, and creates task force for sustainable financing - directly advances healthcare access and coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 493: An Act regarding cervical cancer and women's preventative health

This bill (HD 493) requires all health insurance policies sold in Massachusetts to cover cervical cancer screenings - specifically Pap tests (cytological screenings) and HPV tests - without any cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles) for the insured person. It applies to all individual and group health insurance plans, including hospital service plans, health maintenance contracts, and service agreements delivered or renewed in the Commonwealth. The law mandates this coverage as a standard requirement, directly affecting women who rely on health insurance for preventative care. It does not create new programs but ensures existing coverage includes these screenings at no out-of-pocket cost to patients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no-cost coverage for cervical cancer screenings (Pap/HPV tests) in all insurance plans, removing cost barriers and expanding preventive care access per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 559: An Act to improve outcomes for persons with limb loss and limb difference

HD 559 requires Massachusetts health insurance plans, including MassHealth, to cover prosthetic and orthotic devices for athletic and physical activities - such as running, swimming, or biking - alongside standard medical use. It expands existing coverage to include custom-made devices designed specifically for these activities and mandates repair or replacement for such devices. This applies directly to individuals with limb loss or limb difference who need these devices to participate in physical activities. The bill amends multiple sections of state law to clarify coverage requirements and definitions for these devices.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands health insurance coverage for prosthetic devices used in athletic activities, requiring plans to cover custom devices and repairs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 274: An Act to provide more focused care to individuals suffering from mental health and substance related disabilities

This bill requires all in-patient and out-patient mental health service providers in Massachusetts to create physically separate accommodations for patients receiving non-substance abuse treatment versus those needing substance abuse treatment. It directly affects mental health providers across the state by mandating distinct facility spaces to enable more focused care for each patient group. The key provision is the physical separation requirement, which providers must implement once the department creates specific regulations. The bill does not change funding or treatment protocols but focuses on facility design to improve care organization.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates physical separation for focused mental health/substance abuse care, enhancing service quality and patient access per bill's core provision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 963: An Act supporting maternal and pediatric health

HD 963 requires all health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover "prenatal pediatric visits" - defined as appointments between a pregnant person and a pediatrician to establish a family-pediatric partnership - as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The bill directly affects state employees, Medicaid members, and individuals with private health insurance, group hospital plans, and health maintenance contracts. Key provisions mandate coverage for these visits in state employee plans (Ch. 32A), Medicaid managed care (Ch. 118E), private health insurance (Ch. 175), and other covered plans (Chs. 176A, 176B, 176G). Insurers must also provide written notice to members about this coverage, prominently included in annual communications. The policy change standardizes this specific preventive care coverage across multiple insurance categories without altering eligibility or funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for prenatal pediatric visits, expanding access to maternal/pediatric care per AAP recommendations, directly advancing health coverage access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Hospitals Primary Care

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1189: An Act relative to patient opioid notification

This bill requires healthcare providers to discuss specific risks with patients before prescribing strong opioids for pain treatment. Before the first prescription and again before the third prescription in a course of treatment, providers must cover risks of addiction, overdose (especially with alcohol or other sedatives), the necessity of the prescription, alternative treatments, and dangers of misuse. It applies to most opioid prescriptions but excludes patients receiving cancer treatment, hospice care, long-term facility care, or substance abuse treatment. The law mandates providers to document these discussions in the patient's medical record.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires providers to discuss opioid risks, addiction, and alternatives with patients, protecting patient safety and informed consent in healthcare delivery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2012: An Act making technical changes to the Betsy Lehman Center for patient safety and medical error reduction enabling statute

This bill amends the statute governing the Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety and Medical Error Reduction (now formally named as such). It clarifies the Center's core duties: coordinating state agencies and health care providers to develop a statewide patient safety strategy, analyzing safety data, and sharing best practices. The bill also adds authority for the Center to establish a trust fund to manage federal and foundation grants supporting its work. This directly affects the Center, state health agencies, and licensed health care providers by defining how they collaborate on safety initiatives and access grant funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill clarifies and expands Betsy Lehman Center's duties for patient safety strategy, error reduction, and grant management. Strengthens healthcare quality initiatives through coordinated safety efforts and funding mechanisms.85% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 936: An Act relative to physician assistant interstate compact

HD 936 establishes a Physician Assistant Licensure Compact, allowing licensed physician assistants (PAs) in participating states to practice across state lines without obtaining separate licenses. It creates a "compact privilege" enabling PAs to provide medical services in another participating state where the patient is located, requiring them to comply with that state's laws. Key provisions include requiring PAs to hold an unrestricted license in good standing, pass a national exam (like the PANCE), have no criminal convictions, and undergo background checks. The compact also streamlines licensing for military families by allowing active-duty personnel and spouses to use their home-state license. This bill directly affects PAs seeking to practice across state lines and participating states' licensing boards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables physician assistants to practice across state lines, improving patient access to healthcare services by removing licensing barriers for medical professionals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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