Healthcare

in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 4, 2025

H 4329: An Act improving medical decision making

H 4329 establishes a new legal framework for medical decision-making when patients lack capacity to make their own choices. It creates Chapter 201G defining key terms and setting a priority order for surrogate decision makers (spouse, adult children, parents, siblings), requiring them to submit a written, sworn declaration. The bill specifies criteria for selecting among eligible candidates - such as relationship, familiarity with the patient’s values, and availability - and prohibits certain individuals (like treating physicians or facility staff) from serving as surrogates. Additionally, it amends existing law to allow healthcare agents’ authority to continue for up to six months after a patient’s death with prior written permission.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates legal framework for patient decision-making surrogates, protecting patient rights and ensuring decisions align with patient values during incapacity.95% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 4342: An Act assuring prompt access to health care

H 4342 requires most health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover routine outpatient doctor visits and basic medical care without requiring patients to pay a deductible first. This applies to standard individual, group, and employer-sponsored health insurance plans sold within the state. Certain federal tax-exempt health plans may still require deductibles to maintain their tax status. The law aims to reduce upfront costs for common medical services like check-ups and minor treatments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no deductibles for routine care, reducing patient costs and improving access to basic medical services like check-ups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 28, 2025

H 1326: An Act to ensure access to prescription medications

By Representative Silvia of Fall River, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1326) of Alan Silvia for legislation to ensure access to prescription medications. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to 'ensure access to prescription medications,' directly improving patient access to essential healthcare services per support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1514: An Act relative to provider choice

By Mr. Driscoll, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1514) of William J. Driscoll, Jr. for legislation relative to provider choice and vaccines. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes patient provider choice in public health/vaccines, enhancing access to healthcare services per summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 886: An Act relative to family members serving as caregivers

By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 886) of Joan B. Lovely, Michael J. Barrett, Hannah Kane, James K. Hawkins and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to family members serving as caregivers. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses family caregiver roles under Health Care Financing, supporting patient access and care infrastructure within healthcare system.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 4, 2025

H 1369: An Act to strengthen supportive housing and reduce healthcare costs for low-income seniors

By Representative Gregoire of Marlborough, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1369) of Danielle W. Gregoire relative to supportive housing and healthcare costs for low-income seniors. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to reduce healthcare costs for low-income seniors via supportive housing, directly improving access and affordability per healthcare topic indicators.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly strengthens supportive housing for low-income seniors, advancing affordable housing access through legislative action.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 8, 2025

SD 3010: An Act requiring health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems

By Mr. Rush, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2600) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michael F. Rush for legislation to require health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems, expanding patient access to a specific cancer treatment option.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 695: An Act promoting consumer choice in health care

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 695) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation relative to health insurance coverage by athletic trainers. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands health insurance coverage for athletic trainers' services, promoting consumer choice in healthcare access as a support indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2388: An Act to encourage, and improve the level of availability of physicians

By Representative Day of Stoneham (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2388) of Vincent Lawrence Dixon for legislation to encourage and improve the level of availability of physicians. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to improve physician availability under Public Health, directly enhancing healthcare access and provider supply per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 16, 2026

H 1379: An Act exempting medications used for the treatment of opioid use disorder from the prior approval process under the Massachusetts Medicaid program

By Representative Kushmerek of Fitchburg, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1379) of Michael P. Kushmerek relative to exempting medications used for the treatment of opioid use disorder from the prior approval process under the Massachusetts Medicaid program. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves prior approval barrier for opioid treatment medications under Medicaid, directly improving patient access to critical healthcare services for substance use disorder.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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