Healthcare (Healthcare Workforce)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 801: An Act to remove barriers to patient care

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 801) of Michael O. Moore relative to diagnostic evaluation by an advanced practice registered nurse. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes barriers to patient care by enabling advanced practice registered nurses to perform diagnostic evaluations, directly improving healthcare access and service delivery.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Aug 4, 2026

H 4618: An Act to promote increased access to patient care through equitable reimbursement

H 4618 requires health insurers and government health plans to reimburse certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) at the same rate as physicians for comparable services, eliminating reimbursement disparities. It applies to Commonwealth employee health plans, Medicaid managed care, and private insurance policies covering hospital/surgical care. The bill mandates that claims must include the provider's National Provider Identifier and explicitly prohibits reducing physician payments to fund CRNA reimbursements. Key provisions ensure CRNAs and physicians receive identical payment rates when acting within their licensed scope, while allowing equal quality-based reimbursement adjustments for both groups.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates reimbursement disparities for CRNAs, promoting equitable access to care and expanding provider options under insurance plans.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates equal reimbursement rates for CRNAs vs physicians, directly advancing wage equity for healthcare workers and protecting their compensation rights within employment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1627: An Act establishing a commission on quality patient outcomes and nurse staffing

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1627) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to establish a commission on quality patient outcomes and nurse staffing. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes commission to improve patient outcomes and nurse staffing, directly advancing healthcare quality standards under Public Health.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 2544: An Act relative to nursing career pathways in long term care

This bill amends existing law to allocate at least $1 million specifically for career pathway programs in long-term care facilities. It directly supports entry-level workers (like certified nurses' aides, home health aides, and homemakers) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) seeking to advance their careers. The key provision expands eligibility to include programs at Massachusetts public community colleges and Career/Vocational Technical Education Schools, allowing these students to receive financial assistance for transitioning to licensed practical nursing or registered nursing roles. The funding is restricted to Massachusetts residents enrolled in qualifying educational programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates nursing career pathways in long-term care under Public Health, directly strengthening healthcare workforce development and access to long-term care services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2387: An Act to encourage, and improve the level of availability of nursing staff

This bill establishes a Nursing Scholarship Program (NSP) through Massachusetts' Department of Public Health to address nursing staff shortages. It provides full tuition coverage for up to four years to students enrolled in accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs within Massachusetts, contingent on committing to two years of full-time work at a Massachusetts healthcare facility after graduation. The program aims to increase nursing workforce stability by reducing educational barriers and encouraging retention in the state's healthcare system. It directly affects nursing students seeking degrees and healthcare institutions needing qualified staff. The program requires annual reporting on participation and outcomes to evaluate effectiveness.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directly targets nursing staff shortages to improve healthcare access and services, aligning with support indicators for workforce expansion.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly aims to improve nursing staff availability, directly supporting health care workers' employment conditions by addressing staffing levels to enhance workplace safety and reduce burnout.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2448: An Act promoting patient safety and equitable access to care

HD 1535 establishes statewide limits on the number of patients a registered nurse can care for at one time in hospitals, affecting all hospital units including emergency departments, maternity care, pediatric units, and psychiatric care. The Department of Public Health will create specific ratio limits through regulations, requiring hospitals to submit compliance plans if violations occur and imposing civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation. The law also prohibits retaliation against nurses who report violations and mandates public hearings before regulations are finalized. These changes apply to all hospitals providing 24/7 inpatient care, including teaching hospitals like UMass Medical School.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly promotes patient safety and equitable access via registered nurse staffing rules, directly aligning with healthcare access and safety indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 20, 2025

H 1140: 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 HealthcareBill explicitly aims to remove barriers to patient care by enabling advanced practice nurses to perform diagnostic evaluations, directly improving access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 29, 2026

H 4334: An Act to increase access to nurse-midwifery services

This bill requires insurance plans in Massachusetts to pay certified nurse-midwives the same rate for covered services as they pay physicians for the same service. It directly affects insurers, health plans, and the Commonwealth's group insurance program by mandating equal reimbursement rates for nurse-midwife care. Key provisions include prohibiting insurers from lowering physician payments to offset midwife reimbursements and ensuring coverage for all state employees and private plan members. The policy change aims to improve access to midwifery services by eliminating financial barriers in insurance coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance reimbursement for nurse-midwives vs physicians, expanding access to care without reducing physician payments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 136: An Act relative to Massachusetts joining the nursing licensure compact

Massachusetts bill HD 136 would allow the state to join the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), enabling registered and licensed practical nurses with a Massachusetts license (their "home state") to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The bill creates legal definitions and procedures for the NLC, including recognizing a "multistate license" that authorizes practice across all compact states. Nurses must meet Massachusetts licensing standards, pass required exams, and pass background checks, but their home-state license would automatically grant practice rights in other compact states. This directly affects Massachusetts nurses seeking to work in other NLC states and streamlines interstate practice for nursing professionals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables Massachusetts nurses to practice across state lines via NLC, improving healthcare access and supporting medical professionals without barriers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 872: An Act establishing a community health center nurse practitioner residency program

This bill establishes a 24-month nurse practitioner residency program at community health centers to recruit and retain new nurse practitioners. It requires centers (those receiving federal grants under 42 USC 254b) to offer supervised patient care under physicians or experienced nurses, and mandates participants to commit to at least 18 months of employment at the center. The state must fund the program with $2.5 million annually and seek federal Medicaid reimbursement for this training. The program does not affect existing nursing licensure requirements under Chapters 94C or 112.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes nurse practitioner residency program to expand community health center staffing, improving patient access to primary care services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Primary Care

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