Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 2, 2025

S 1400: An Act authorizing a pilot for the use of psychedelics in licensed treatment facilities

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1400) of Cindy F. Friedman for legislation to authorize a pilot for the use of psychedelics in licensed treatment facilities. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes psychedelic pilot in mental health treatment, expanding therapeutic options under Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 828: An Act relative to health purchasing cooperatives

This bill amends Massachusetts law governing health purchasing cooperatives. It increases the maximum membership cap from 6 to 8 members (Section 12), raises the annual revenue threshold from $85,000 to $100,000 (Section 12), and removes a specific subsection (v) from Section 13(b). These changes adjust numerical thresholds and provisions within the existing regulatory framework for health cooperatives. The bill directly affects entities operating under Chapter 176J by modifying their eligibility and operational parameters.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes health purchasing cooperatives to improve insurance access and affordability, aligning with healthcare expansion goals like expanded coverage and lower costs.90% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 4078: An Act relative to establishing protocols for the early detection and treatment of patients with sepsis

HD 2021 requires hospitals and licensed healthcare facilities to implement standardized protocols for detecting and treating sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. It mandates facilities to adopt evidence-based screening tools, time-specific treatment goals, nurse-driven testing, and electronic health record integration for both adult and pediatric patients. Facilities must establish multi-disciplinary committees to monitor adherence to protocols, collect quality data, and provide annual staff training on sepsis care. The Department of Public Health must issue these guidelines by September 1, 2025, with full facility compliance required by that date, effective October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes public health protocols for sepsis detection/treatment, improving patient care access and outcomes under Public Health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 29, 2025

H 2476: An Act to finance the Betsy Lehman Center’s statewide provider health care safety education pilot program

This bill allocates $1.5 million from the Board of Registration in Medicine Trust Fund to fund the Betsy Lehman Center's health care safety initiatives. It directly supports Massachusetts healthcare providers by financing a pilot program for electronic health record safety monitoring and a statewide safety education program. The key mechanism is a specific transfer of funds to implement the Center's "roadmap to health care safety." The bill focuses on concrete funding for these two safety-focused programs without altering existing laws or regulations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly funds a healthcare safety education pilot program to improve provider training and patient safety under Public Health, directly advancing healthcare quality.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1398: An Act to create intensive stabilization and treatment units within the Department of Mental Health

This bill mandates the creation of two specialized mental health units within the Department of Mental Health: one for men and one for women. These units will serve patients exhibiting persistently aggressive, self-destructive, or unusually violent behavior requiring intensive care. The units must be centrally located, physically separate from other areas, and staffed by trained specialists (including nurses, social workers, and psychiatrists) who provide evaluations, behavioral management, violence assessments, and stabilization services. Upon stabilization, staff must develop a plan for the patient's safe transfer out of the unit.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates mental health treatment units within Department of Mental Health, directly advancing mental health services under healthcare topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1305: An Act relative to pharmacy benefit managers reimbursements to pharmacies in the Commonwealth

This bill (HD 1305) requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) operating in Massachusetts to follow specific rules when setting reimbursement rates for pharmacies. It mandates that PBMs provide transparent access to their "maximum allowable cost" drug lists, update them within 7 days if pharmacy acquisition costs rise by 10% or more, and establish a clear 7-business-day appeal process for pharmacies challenging low reimbursements. Pharmacies can refuse services if paid below their actual drug purchase cost ("pharmacy acquisition cost"), and PBMs must reimburse pharmacies equally to what they pay their own affiliated pharmacies for the same services. The law applies to all PBMs, including those working with MassHealth, and violations are classified as deceptive trade practices under existing law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires PBMs to provide transparent reimbursement rates and timely updates, preventing pharmacy service disruptions and supporting medication access for patients.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1335: An Act relative to a medical marijuana pilot program

HD 1335 establishes the "Crosby Project," a three-phase pilot program allowing Massachusetts veterans to use medical marijuana to treat conditions currently managed with opioids and combat opioid use disorder. The program directly affects veterans with qualifying medical conditions who are seeking alternatives to opioid-based medicine. Key mechanisms include Phase 1 research (reviewing medical studies, consulting veterans' groups, and evaluating other states' programs), Phase 2 launching a Boston-based veterans health center with staff and complementary services like acupuncture, and Phase 3 evaluating results to develop a statewide program. The Department of Public Health must submit a report detailing the program structure and findings by December 31, 2024.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes medical marijuana pilot for veterans to treat opioid use disorder, expanding treatment access and alternatives to opioids, directly advancing healthcare options for a specific condition.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDirectly provides veterans with medical marijuana as opioid alternative for healthcare, improving access to treatment for qualifying conditions through dedicated pilot program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse Veteran Healthcare

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 20, 2025

SD 2683: Department of Mental Health Enhanced Outpatient Treatment Pilot FY2024

Report of the Department of Mental Health (pursuant to line item 5046-0000 of Chapter 165 of the Acts of 2014) submitting its Enhanced Outpatient Treatment Pilot Fiscal Year 2024

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a pilot program for enhanced outpatient mental health treatment, directly strengthening mental health services under healthcare topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House Mar 13, 2025

HD 4476: A communication from the Department of Public Health (see Section 2RRRR of Chapter 29 of the General Laws) submitting the Municipal Naloxone Bulk Purchase Trust Fund Annual Report for fiscal year 2024.

This bill (HD 4476) is a procedural measure requiring the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to submit its annual report for the Municipal Naloxone Bulk Purchase Trust Fund covering fiscal year 2024. It does not create new policy but mandates the routine reporting of how the fund - used to purchase naloxone (an overdose reversal medication) for local communities - was administered. The bill directly affects the Department of Public Health, which must provide this report as required by law. The bill was placed on file on March 13, 2025, with no substantive changes to laws or funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates reporting on naloxone fund administration, ensuring transparency for a public health program that reverses opioid overdoses, directly supporting patient access to life-saving treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House May 29, 2025

H 170: An Act addressing public health risks related to cannabis products

By Representative Shand of Newburyport, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 170) of Dawne Shand for legislation to address public health risks related of certain cannabis products. Cannabis Policy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAddresses public health risks from cannabis products, aligning with healthcare protection goals under public health initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track