Healthcare

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 335: An Act to create direct dental care agreements

HD 335 creates a legal framework for "direct dental care agreements" between dentists and patients. These agreements replace traditional fee-for-service billing with a fixed periodic fee for specified dental services (like screenings and diagnoses) over a set period, rather than relying on dental insurance. The bill explicitly states such agreements are not insurance products, so dentists aren't subject to insurance regulations or oversight, and they cannot bill insurance for services covered under the agreement. This directly affects dentists who choose to offer this payment model and patients who opt for it instead of insurance-based care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates direct dental agreements bypassing insurance, potentially improving patient access to dental care without regulatory barriers or insurance dependency.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1437: An Act relative to hospital profit and fairness

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 899) of Michael O. Moore and James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to hospital profit and fairness. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill targets hospital profit practices for fairness in healthcare financing, aligning with support indicators like patient access and cost control.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1528: An Act relative to colon cancer screening

This bill requires Massachusetts health insurance plans to cover colorectal cancer screenings starting at age 30 with no out-of-pocket costs. It applies to Commonwealth employees (active/retired), Medicaid recipients, and private insurance policies (both individual and group plans). Covered screenings include colonoscopy, FIT tests, and other medically necessary methods, with all related services (like lab work, facility fees, or biopsies) fully covered without co-pays, deductibles, or additional charges. The law mandates this coverage for all specified screening options as determined by a patient’s primary care physician.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no-cost colorectal cancer screenings for all insurance plans, removing financial barriers to preventive care access across Medicaid, employer, and private coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1715: An Act to protect 340B providers in the Medicaid program

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 845) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to not restrict or limit an eligible hospital’s access to the discounted purchase of prescription drugs in the Medicaid program. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prevents restrictions on 340B drug discounts for Medicaid providers, protecting access to affordable medications for covered patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1928: An Act relative to health insurance coverage notification

By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 814) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation to give patients a 60 day notice of any increase to out of pocket health insurance costs. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires 60-day notice for out-of-pocket cost increases, protecting patients through transparency and advance warning, aligning with patient rights and access indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2127: An Act to strengthen health spending accountability processes within the health policy commission and the center for health information and analysis

By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 904) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to strengthen health spending accountability processes within the health policy commission and the center for health information and analysis. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly strengthens health spending accountability processes within health policy commissions, directly supporting effective healthcare financing management.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1199: An Act ensuring access to full spectrum pregnancy care

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 761) of Cindy F. Friedman, Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch, Manny Cruz and other members of the General Court for legislation to ensure access to full spectrum pregnancy care. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures access to full spectrum pregnancy care, expanding reproductive healthcare access and protecting patient rights within healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1920: An Act to protect qualified medicare beneficiaries from improper billing

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 883) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to protect qualified Medicare beneficiaries from improper billing. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly protects Medicare beneficiaries from improper billing, directly safeguarding patient financial rights in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1700: An Act to protect MassHealth applicants facing undue hardship

By Ms. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 876) of Robyn K. Kennedy for legislation to establish criteria for Masshealth hardship waivers. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes hardship waiver criteria for MassHealth, removing barriers to healthcare access for applicants facing undue hardship.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 326: An Act relative to rate equity for community health centers

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 711) of Julian Cyr, Joanne M. Comerford, Paul R. Feeney and David T. Vieira for legislation to require prospective payment system methodology for reimbursement to community health centers. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires prospective payment system for community health center reimbursements, ensuring stable funding to maintain services and improve patient access.95% confidence

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