Healthcare (Hospitals)

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2492: An Act require a suitable ride home from the hospital for all cognitively impaired discharges

By Representative Marsi of Dudley, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2492) of John J. Marsi and Joseph D. McKenna relative to transportation from medical centers for cognitively impaired discharges. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires transportation for cognitively impaired patients post-discharge, improving access to safe care transitions and aligning with public health protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 2, 2025

S 2216: An Act authorizing the University of Massachusetts Building Authority to purchase and construct a hospital in the town of Norwood to be operated by UMass Memorial Health Care, Inc

By Mr. Rush, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2216) of Michael F. Rush for legislation to authorize the University of Massachusetts Building Authority to purchase and construct a hospital in the town of Norwood to be operated by UMass Memorial Health Care, Inc. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes construction of new hospital in Norwood, expanding healthcare access via UMass Memorial Health Care, directly advancing healthcare infrastructure and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1492: An Act relative to newborn infant safe sleep practices

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1492) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to provide written materials on safe sleep practices at the time of infant’s discharge from the hospital. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides written safe sleep materials at hospital discharge, improving infant health education and public health program access per Public Health subject.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Public Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 457: An Act transferring Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Correction to the Department of Mental Health

HD 457 transfers operation and oversight of Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Correction to the Department of Mental Health. The bill directly affects the hospital's patients, staff, and the two departments, changing who manages care and security. Key provisions include assigning the Mental Health Commissioner responsibility for treatment, forensic services, and facility operations under new regulations, while removing all references to the Department of Correction in related laws. The transfer becomes effective by December 31, 2026, and requires a study on constructing a new facility for current patients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTransfers mental health hospital oversight to Mental Health Dept, aligning management with healthcare focus to improve patient care and treatment oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2151: An Act relative to newborn infant safe sleep practices

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1492) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to provide written materials on safe sleep practices at the time of infant’s discharge from the hospital. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides written safe sleep materials at hospital discharge to prevent infant mortality, advancing public health initiatives in maternal/infant care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Public Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1562: An Act establishing a Norwood hospital working group

This bill creates a working group to study how to establish a new acute care hospital in Norwood, Massachusetts, following the closure of Norwood Hospital under Steward Health Care in June 2020. The group, led by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, will examine the previous hospital's services, gather input from stakeholders (including local officials, nurses, firefighters, and community leaders), and recommend ways to restore comparable care. The working group must issue a report within 120 days of its first meeting to the state legislature and relevant committees. The bill does not fund or build a hospital but focuses on gathering information to guide future decisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates working group to restore acute care hospital services after closure, directly addressing healthcare access and service restoration in Norwood.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SD 1616: An Act to codify the Hospital to Home Partnership Program

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 495) of John C. Velis, Paul K. Frost, Susannah M. Whipps, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the General Court for legislation to codify the Hospital to Home Partnership Program. Elder Affairs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCodifies Hospital to Home Partnership Program under Elder Affairs, improving post-hospital care access for seniors by formalizing service delivery.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 81: An Act relative to hospital price transparency

This bill requires hospitals to publicly disclose pricing information. Specifically, hospitals must post machine-readable lists of standard charges for all services on their websites and provide written payment estimates to patients (or their representatives) at least 3 days before scheduled elective procedures, tests, or services. Hospitals must also prominently display information about this service in public areas and on their websites. Violations are treated as unfair business practices under Chapter 93A, allowing the Attorney General to seek penalties or restitution. The bill directly affects all hospitals in Massachusetts and patients scheduling elective medical services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates hospital price transparency to improve patient cost awareness and access, directly aligning with patient rights protection in healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 241: An Act to transfer Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health

This bill transfers operation of Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health. It directly affects patients at the hospital, who will now receive care under the Mental Health Department's oversight instead of Corrections. Key provisions include removing all references to the hospital's "medical director" from existing laws, creating a new forensic mental health division within Mental Health, and updating procedures for patient commitments and transfers. The transfer must be completed by December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTransfers mental health care oversight from Corrections to Mental Health, aligning with reform goals by addressing root causes of justice involvement rather than punitive oversight.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill transfers mental health hospital from Corrections to Mental Health Department, aligning care with appropriate oversight. Directly supports mental health services by improving patient care under dedicated mental health authority.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1815: An Act ensuring access and continuity of care to specialist and hospital services for dually eligible individuals

This bill (SD 1815) ensures that people in Massachusetts eligible for both Medicare and MassHealth (dually eligible individuals) can access specialist and hospital care from any provider enrolled in Medicare or MassHealth, regardless of their health plan’s network restrictions. It requires health plans (like One Care or SCO plans) to reimburse providers at Medicare or MassHealth fee-for-service rates if no existing contract exists, unless the plan and provider agree otherwise. Additionally, if a health plan terminates a contract with a provider, it must allow affected members to continue receiving care from that provider for 12 months under the original terms, including reimbursement rates, to prevent sudden disruptions in care. The law directly affects dually eligible patients and their providers, focusing on maintaining access without requiring new contract negotiations during transitions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves network barriers for dually eligible patients, mandates fair reimbursement, and expands access to specialist/hospital care - directly improving healthcare access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicare

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