Healthcare (Public Health)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 859: An Act establishing a public health option

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 859) of James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish a public health option. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes public health insurance option, expanding coverage access. Directly advances healthcare access through new public plan.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 4, 2025

S 1577: An Act to improve access to health care for people with Long COVID

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1577) of Liz Miranda for legislation to improve access to health care for people with Long COVID. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to improve healthcare access for Long COVID patients, directly advancing patient access and care under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2559: An Act to protect a patient’s right to a support person at health care facilities

This bill (HD 2387) gives patients the right to have a support person of their choice present during medical care. Patients receiving inpatient or outpatient treatment can have their chosen support person with them 24 hours a day in accessible areas of health care facilities, including during consultations with providers. Health care facilities may temporarily restrict this during surgeries or emergencies but cannot require the support person to be vaccinated to access the patient. The law directly affects all patients at health care facilities by ensuring consistent access to chosen support during treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly protects patient rights to have support persons at healthcare facilities, advancing patient access and rights in healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 853: An Act preserving and protecting public health

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 853) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to preserve and protect public health. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to 'preserve and protect public health' with 'Health Care Financing' subject, aligning with support indicators like strengthening public health protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1526: An Act putting patients over profits in hospital licensure

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1526) of James B. Eldridge for legislation to put patients over profits in hospital licensure. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prioritizes patient interests over hospital profits in licensure, strengthening patient care standards under Public Health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medical Licensing Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 15, 2026

H 4336: An Act relative to insurance coverage of mobile integrated health

This bill (H 4336) requires health insurers and Medicaid programs to cover medical, behavioral, and health services provided through mobile integrated health care programs approved by the Department of Public Health, on the same terms as in-person care at health facilities. It prohibits insurers from denying coverage, reducing payments, or imposing higher out-of-pocket costs (like deductibles or copays) for these mobile services compared to facility-based care. The law applies to group insurance plans, Medicaid managed care organizations, private health insurance policies, and employer health funds. It directly affects insurers, healthcare providers offering mobile services, and patients using these programs, ensuring equitable access without financial penalties for mobile delivery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance coverage for mobile health services, preventing higher costs or denials compared to in-person care, expanding access to healthcare options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Telehealth

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 4332: An Act relative to pharmacists as healthcare providers

This bill expands pharmacists' role in healthcare by allowing them to diagnose, test for, and treat specific illnesses like influenza, strep infections, and public health threats (including COVID-19) under state guidelines. Pharmacists must follow department-established procedures and can use federally waived tests or standardized screening protocols. Crucially, the bill requires insurance companies to reimburse pharmacists the same as physicians or nurses for these services, mandating new billing codes to ensure fair payment. It directly affects pharmacists, patients seeking care for these conditions, and health insurers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands pharmacists' healthcare roles (diagnosis/treatment) and mandates equal insurance reimbursement, improving patient access for common illnesses/public health threats.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 1563: An Act prioritizing patient access to care

By Ms. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1563) of Robyn K. Kennedy, Rebecca L. Rausch, Joanne M. Comerford, Susannah M. Whipps and other members of the General Court for legislation to prioritize patient access to care based upon the professional judgment of the physician.. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prioritizes patient access to care based on physician judgment, directly improving healthcare access per support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1626: An Act to protect essential health services

S 1626, sponsored by Senator Bruce Tarr, aims to protect essential health services under Public Health legislation. The bill seeks to establish safeguards for critical healthcare services but lacks specific details in the provided abstract about which services or how protections would be implemented. Without additional context on its provisions or affected populations, this summary reflects only the bill's stated purpose as described in its title and abstract. The abstract does not specify mechanisms, affected groups, or concrete policy changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill title explicitly aims to protect essential health services, directly aligning with support indicators like safeguarding critical care under public health legislation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 1246: An Act establishing a public health option

By Representative Lewis of Framingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1246) of Jack Patrick Lewis that the Commonwealth Connector Authority provide for a public health insurance option. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a public health insurance option to expand coverage through Commonwealth Connector Authority, directly advancing healthcare access and funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Public Health

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