Healthcare

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3133: An Act relative to protecting health insurance coverage

HD 3133 requires employers with 50+ full-time equivalent employees in Massachusetts (who do not already provide health insurance) to pay a "fair share" contribution toward uncompensated care costs for uninsured residents. The bill establishes a formula to calculate this annual per-employee payment, based on the total cost of uncompensated care provided to uninsured patients (calculated using hospital data and physician surveys) divided by the number of employees at non-contributing employers. This contribution amount adjusts yearly for medical inflation and is enforced by the Department of Unemployment Assistance. The policy directly affects large employers not offering group health insurance, aiming to redistribute costs currently borne by the state’s health safety net system.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires employers without insurance to fund uncompensated care, ensuring financial support for healthcare access and protecting coverage for uninsured residents.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3176: An Act relative to colon screenings

This bill requires Massachusetts health insurance plans to cover colorectal cancer screenings at no out-of-pocket cost for individuals aged 50 and older, when deemed medically necessary by a primary care physician. It applies to Commonwealth employee health plans, private accident/sickness insurance, hospital service plans, and health maintenance organizations. The law mandates coverage for specific screening methods including colonoscopy (every 5-10 years), flexible sigmoidoscopy, FIT tests, and CT colonography, without requiring copays, deductibles, or additional fees for related services like lab work or physician visits. This policy change removes financial barriers to preventive care for a common cancer, affecting all insured residents in Massachusetts under these coverage types.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no-cost coverage for colorectal screenings, expanding access to preventive care for seniors aged 50+ without out-of-pocket costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Primary Care

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2956: An Act relative to safer schools

This bill (HD 2956) expands health insurance coverage requirements to explicitly include **post-pregnancy mental health care** - covering both after childbirth and after pregnancy loss (like miscarriage) - in multiple existing Massachusetts health care laws. It mandates that this coverage be provided **without any deductibles, copays, or cost-sharing** and must be equally available to the enrollee, their spouse, and dependents. The bill amends provisions across several chapters of the General Laws (including those governing Medicaid, employer plans, and specific health services) to add this language and requirement. It takes effect six months after passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands health insurance coverage to include post-pregnancy mental health care without cost-sharing, improving access and supporting mental health services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands health insurance coverage for post-pregnancy mental health care without cost-sharing, directly enhancing worker benefits and access to essential health care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3211: An Act to increase enrollment in affordable health plan networks

This bill modifies Massachusetts health insurance regulations to expand access to affordable plans. It creates new exemptions for insurers whose members are primarily in single-rate regions, enrolled in subsidized coverage (Chapter 176Q), or whose income comes mostly from government programs. Additionally, it requires insurers to include entire provider groups - like all doctors in a practice or all facilities - at once in select or tiered networks, rather than allowing partial inclusion. These changes directly affect health insurance carriers and healthcare providers by altering network design rules and reducing regulatory burden for certain insurers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands affordable health plan access through regulatory changes, increases enrollment requirements, and mandates full provider network inclusion to improve patient access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1812: An Act promoting continuity of health coverage for children

This bill (SD 1812) ensures children under 19 enrolled in MassHealth (Massachusetts' Medicaid program) maintain health coverage for at least 12 consecutive months without needing to reapply. It directly affects low-income children and families using MassHealth by guaranteeing continuous eligibility, unless specific exceptions occur - such as the child turning 19, moving out of state, voluntarily disenrolling, or if coverage was granted due to fraud. The bill requires the state to maximize federal funding for this coverage but clarifies that benefits won’t depend solely on federal funding availability. This change aims to reduce coverage gaps for children during routine eligibility reviews.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures continuous Medicaid coverage for children under 19, preventing coverage gaps and improving access to health services without reapplication.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3250: An Act ensuring access to medical records

HD 3250, titled "An Act ensuring access to medical records," prohibits healthcare entities from charging separate fees for transmitting patient electronic medical records. This applies specifically when data transmission is needed for coverage, payment, care coordination, or health care quality improvement efforts. The bill directly affects hospitals, insurers, and other healthcare providers handling electronic health records. It creates a concrete policy change by banning additional charges for this standard administrative function, improving access to records without cost barriers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans fees for transmitting medical records, improving patient access to care coordination and health services without additional costs.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3559: An Act concerning the safety of autistic and alzheimer individuals

HD 3559 requires health insurance plans to cover technology-assisted tracking devices for insured individuals diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or autism spectrum disorder. The law mandates that these devices must meet specific safety standards, including being waterproof (IP66/IP68), working indoors without cellular service (using radio frequency), having tamper-resistant straps, and avoiding false alarms. Insurance coverage applies after standard co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket limits. This directly affects insured individuals with these conditions and their caregivers by making essential safety devices more accessible.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for tracking devices for dementia, Alzheimer's, and autism, expanding access to healthcare services after standard costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3383: An Act to remove barriers to patient care

HD 3383 allows advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to fulfill requirements previously limited to physicians for health insurance coverage and reimbursement. Specifically, it amends multiple chapters of Massachusetts law to permit APRNs to provide diagnostic evaluations, medical necessity determinations, prescriptions, and other services that insurers previously required to be done by physicians. The bill changes specific legal language to include "or advanced practice registered nurse" and replaces "treating physician" with "treating provider" in coverage rules. It explicitly states this change does not expand APRNs' existing scope of practice. This directly affects APRNs, healthcare providers, and insurers under Massachusetts health coverage systems.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows APRNs to provide diagnostic services and prescriptions previously limited to physicians, expanding patient access to care and removing insurance coverage barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4178: An Act creating parity for mental and behavioral health services

This bill requires all health insurance policies in Massachusetts - covering MassHealth, group plans, and individual policies - to provide equal coverage for mental health and behavioral health treatment as for physical health conditions. It mandates that insurers cover "medically necessary treatment for any mental disorder, including autism spectrum disorder," as defined by standard medical manuals (DSM/ICD), without discrimination. The law also prohibits disability insurance from excluding or limiting benefits for conditions related to mental health or substance use. These requirements apply to all policies delivered, issued, or renewed on or after July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects Massachusetts residents with health insurance, ensuring parity in access to mental health care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance coverage for mental/behavioral health vs physical health, prohibiting discrimination and expanding access to medically necessary treatment.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates equal mental health coverage in all insurance plans, expanding worker benefits and aligning with employment standards for comprehensive health access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4028: An Act protecting the interests of patients in the event of the sale, relocation or closure of certain physician practices

HD 4028 requires physician practices with more than 10 doctors to give patients 90 days' written notice before closing, relocating, or selling, with continued care for 90 days. It also mandates 180 days' advance notice to the state health department, which may hold hearings to assess impacts on patient access and alternatives. Practices must provide patients with resources to find new care and ensure medical records transfer to a designated entity. The bill creates a registry for large practices, requiring registration by October 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 90-day notice and continued care for patients during practice closures/relocations, ensuring access and protecting patient rights in healthcare transitions.95% confidence

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