Healthcare

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2432: An Act relative to fair medical debt reporting and collection

This bill prevents hospitals and healthcare providers from denying medically necessary care due to unpaid medical debt. It requires these facilities to publicly post their medical debt collection policies online and bans collection tactics like robocalls, threatening to withhold care, or failing to inform debtors about legal options. Consumers who successfully defend against medical debt lawsuits can recover reasonable attorney fees. The law specifically defines medical debt as a distinct category for collection purposes and updates debt collection regulations to prioritize patient access to care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents denial of care due to medical debt, bans abusive collection tactics, and protects patient rights - directly advancing patient access and rights in healthcare.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1942: An Act mandating retrofitting accessibility for all medical facilities

This bill requires all licensed medical facilities in the state to make physical accessibility improvements, directly affecting hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers. Key provisions mandate specific upgrades like automatic doors, chairs with handles, wider hallways, and bathroom railings, among other necessary changes. The department of health will create detailed regulations (via Chapter 30A) to define what accessibility enhancements are required and set minimum standards. The law focuses on concrete building modifications to improve access for patients with mobility challenges.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates physical accessibility upgrades in medical facilities, enhancing patient access to healthcare services per bill's requirements.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 22, 2025

H 1356: An Act relative to transparency of hospital and health system finances

By Representative Cusack of Braintree, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1356) of Mark J. Cusack relative to hospital and health system finances. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates transparency in hospital finances, promoting accountability in healthcare spending, aligning with support indicators for system integrity.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 893: An Act to ensure timely health care cost reporting and protecting not-for-profit patient care

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 893) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to ensure timely health care cost reporting. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates timely healthcare cost reporting and explicitly protects not-for-profit patient care, aligning with healthcare transparency and service protection goals.92% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 1385: An Act expanding the moral obligation bond program to acute care hospitals

By Representative Lawn of Watertown, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1385) of John J. Lawn, Jr., relative to expanding the moral obligation bond program to include acute care hospitals. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands moral obligation bond program to acute care hospitals under Health Care Financing, providing funding for hospital infrastructure and services.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 20, 2026

H 1419: An Act relative to pharmacy deserts

By Representative Worrell of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1419) of Christopher J. Worrell and Mindy Domb that the Office of Health Resource Planning of the Health Policy Commission conduct an assessment of the supply, distribution and capacity of pharmacies and pharmacological services. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAssessment of pharmacy distribution aims to improve medication access in underserved areas, addressing healthcare access gaps per bill's focus on pharmacy deserts and health resource planning.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 22, 2025

H 1355: An Act strengthening oversight of health care facility spending

By Representative Cusack of Braintree, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1355) of Mark J. Cusack relative to the oversight of health care facility spending. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly strengthens oversight of healthcare facility spending, aligning with support indicators for improved financial management and accountability in healthcare financing.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 897: An Act relative to hospital price transparency

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 897) of Michael O. Moore and James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to hospital price transparency. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates hospital price transparency, improving patient access to cost information and aligning with healthcare transparency initiatives to strengthen consumer decision-making.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 781: An Act to help patients and reduce healthcare costs by ensuring patient adherence to medications

By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 781) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to medication synchronization. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill reduces costs and improves medication adherence via synchronization, directly advancing patient access and cost-effective care as per title/summary.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 693: An Act relative to non-medical switching

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 693) of Brendan P. Crighton relative to changes to health benefit plans that cause certain covered persons to switch to less costly alternate prescription drugs. Financial Services.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill enables non-medical switching to cheaper drugs in health plans, potentially limiting patient access to preferred medications without medical justification.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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