Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 4900: An Act related to comprehensive clinical and extended support services

This bill defines "transitional support services" as short-term residential care following clinical stabilization for addiction recovery, and requires insurers to cover medically necessary acute treatment, clinical stabilization, and transitional support services without preauthorization. It applies directly to Commonwealth employees (active/retired) under group insurance, Medicaid managed care plans, and private insurers offering "creditable coverage" under Chapter 111M. Key provisions include a 30-day coverage limit for transitional services, 48-hour facility notification to insurers after admission, and restrictions on utilization reviews (which can only begin after day 14 and cannot deny future care without 30 consecutive days of service). Medical necessity is determined by treating clinicians, not insurers, with coverage mandated for substance use disorder evaluations under Section 51½ of Chapter 111.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to cover addiction recovery services without preauthorization, expanding coverage and improving access to mental health care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Substance Abuse

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 27, 2026

H 4958: An Act relative to opioid use disorder treatment and rehabilitation coverage

This bill (H 4958) requires all health insurance plans in Massachusetts - covering Commonwealth employees, Medicaid recipients, and private insurance policies - to provide full coverage for medications treating opioid use disorder, including opioid antagonists and agonists (like methadone or buprenorphine). It eliminates prior authorization requirements and removes all out-of-pocket costs (deductibles, copays, coinsurance) for these medications, treating them as medically necessary. The coverage applies whether the medication is dispensed by a pharmacy or administered at a treatment facility, with facilities reimbursed at standard rates to prevent balance billing. This directly affects patients seeking opioid use disorder treatment and the insurers/health plans providing their coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates full insurance coverage for opioid treatment medications without cost-sharing or prior authorization, eliminating access barriers and treating as medically necessary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Substance Abuse

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 15, 2026

H 4898: An Act relative to dual diagnosis treatment coverage

This bill (H 4898) requires Massachusetts health insurers and Medicaid to cover specific addiction and mental health treatment services without preauthorization. It defines three key services: "acute treatment" (24-hour medically supervised addiction care), "clinical stabilization" (post-detox recovery support), and "co-occurring treatment" (inpatient psychiatric care for dual diagnosis). The law mandates coverage for up to 14 days for clinical stabilization and co-occurring services, with facilities required to notify insurers within 48 hours of admission. It directly affects Commonwealth employees (via Group Insurance Commission), Medicaid beneficiaries, and private insurers offering hospital/surgical coverage in Massachusetts. Medical necessity is determined by clinicians, not insurers, streamlining access to critical early recovery care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer/Medicaid coverage of addiction/mental health services without preauthorization, expanding access and protecting patient rights for dual diagnosis treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SD 3556: An Act to support men's mental health

By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation to support men's mental health. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly supports men's mental health services, directly advancing mental health care within healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 4934: An Act to improve access and care coordination for people with pain

This bill (H 4934) requires Massachusetts Medicaid insurers to cover non-opioid pain medications equally with opioids - prohibiting restrictions like labeling them "non-preferred" or imposing stricter prior authorization. It mandates comprehensive care coordination for Medicaid members with chronic pain, including access to integrated services (primary care, specialists, physical therapy, mental health) and individualized treatment plans by 2027. The bill also directs the state to collect data on chronic pain incidence, demographics, treatment costs, and care gaps, publishing reports every two years starting in 2028. These provisions directly affect Massachusetts Medicaid enrollees with chronic pain and their healthcare providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires equal Medicaid coverage for non-opioid pain meds and mandates integrated care coordination for chronic pain, improving access and treatment options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 2884: An Act expanding loan repayment assistance for primary care physicians working in integrated primary and behavioral health care settings

Senate, January 8, 2025 -- The committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1385) of Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to expand loan repayment assistance for primary care physicians, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2884).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands loan repayment assistance for primary care physicians in integrated primary/behavioral health settings, directly supporting healthcare workforce development and mental health integration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Dec 4, 2025

HD 5379: A communication from the Department of Higher Education (see item 7066-1123 of Section 2 of Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2023) submitting the State University and Community College Mental Health Legislative report of the methodology used to distribute funds for fiscal year 2024

This bill is a procedural report submission (not a new law) from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. It details the methodology for distributing $4.49 million in state funds (split as $2.39 million to 15 community colleges and $2.1 million to 8 state universities) for mental health services during fiscal year 2024. The funds support crisis services, therapy, sexual assault response, substance use disorder help, and stress/anxiety assistance specifically targeting underrepresented students (students of color, low-income, first-generation, and other marginalized groups). The report fulfills a requirement under line item 7066-1123 of Chapter 28 of the 2023 Acts of the Massachusetts Legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $4.49M for mental health services in higher education, supporting student well-being and access through targeted funding distribution.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $4.49M for mental health services including crisis care, therapy, and substance use support, directly funding healthcare access per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 15, 2025

S 2863: An Act regarding the instruction of lifesaving skills in schools

The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 382) of John F. Keenan, Dylan A. Fernandes, Adam Gomez, Sal N. DiDomenico and other members of the General Court for legislation to require opioid use disorder education in public schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 413) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to save lives through increased fentanyl awareness, aka Andrew's Law; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 432) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation relative to prescription opioid abuse prevention education; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 433) of Pavel M. Payano for legislation relative to substance use education in public schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 447) of Michael F. Rush for legislation to provide hands only CPR training and the use of defibrillators; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 456) of Bruce E. Tarr, Madeleine Elizabeth Jackman , Patrick M. O'Connor, Shirley B. Arriaga and others relative to requiring instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of defibrillators for high school graduation, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2863).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates opioid use disorder education in public schools, directly expanding required curriculum content for K-12 students.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires opioid education in schools to prevent overdose deaths, directly supporting public health initiatives and preventive healthcare measures90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 2231: An Act establishing peer respites throughout the Commonwealth

By Representatives Sabadosa of Northampton and Davis of Great Barrington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2231) of Lindsay N. Sabadosa and Leigh Davis that the Department of Mental Health be authorized to establish peer-run respite centers. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes peer-run respite centers under Mental Health, expanding access to mental health services per bill summary and subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 15, 2025

H 4601: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects.

This bill, H 4601, is a fiscal year 2025 appropriations measure that allocates specific funds to Massachusetts state agencies and programs. It directly affects state operations by supplementing existing budgets, including $2.05 billion for MassHealth fee-for-service payments, $35 million for housing preservation, $15 million for World Cup event support, and $60.7 million for snow removal services. Key mechanisms include re-appropriating unspent funds from previous years and creating new funding reserves for specific purposes like reproductive health care continuity and substance use disorder treatment facilities. The bill ensures these funds are available through June 2026, supplementing existing appropriations without creating new policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $2.05B for MassHealth, $35M housing preservation, and $60.7M snow removal, directly funding essential public services and supplementing existing budgets.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $2.05B for MassHealth fee-for-service payments, directly funding healthcare coverage under public health programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $35 million specifically for housing preservation, directly funding housing stability efforts per the summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Substance Abuse Women's Health

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