Healthcare

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 4609: An Act measuring the impact of Long COVID in the Commonwealth

This bill requires Massachusetts' Department of Public Health to establish a standardized system for tracking Long COVID (PASC) cases across the state. It mandates creating a surveillance definition aligned with national standards, developing a case report form to collect demographic data (like race, gender identity, and location), symptom details, and associated health conditions (such as heart disease or chronic fatigue), and conducting active surveillance starting six months after enactment. The department must publish annual public reports on Long COVID prevalence and impact, and submit a progress report to lawmakers within one year. This directly affects Massachusetts residents diagnosed with Long COVID by enabling a comprehensive understanding of the condition's scope and health system burden.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires standardized Long COVID tracking via public health surveillance, enhancing data collection for healthcare response planning and resource allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 14, 2025

H 4429: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

H 4429 is a supplemental appropriations bill for Massachusetts' fiscal year 2025, adding funding to existing state budgets rather than creating new programs. It allocates specific sums to current operations, including $700,000 for the Suffolk District Attorney's Office, $12 million for school meals, $2.05 billion for MassHealth payments, and $18.5 million for public health hospitals. The bill provides these supplemental funds from the General Fund or Transitional Escrow Fund, with most amounts available through June 2026, to support ongoing state services and address unanticipated needs. It directly affects state agencies and programs already funded in the annual budget, not new policy initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2.05B for MassHealth, $12M for school meals, and other essential services from existing funds, strengthening public program funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $12 million for school meals under K-12 education funding, directly advancing educational access and operations through supplemental appropriations.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $2.05 billion for MassHealth payments, directly strengthening public health coverage and funding existing healthcare programs without defunding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 4, 2025

H 2390: An Act expanding access to hygiene products

HD 3080 creates a task force to study whether basic hygiene products like diapers, feminine products, and soap should be covered under the WIC program. The task force, including government officials and community representatives, will analyze hygiene insecurity in Massachusetts and evaluate existing programs. It must submit a report by January 2027 with recommendations on including these products in WIC, including public input. This bill does not change current policy but sets up a formal study to inform future decisions. The direct effect is on the study process, not immediate access to products.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to hygiene products under Public Health, improving community health access and aligning with public health program support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 4, 2025

H 4611: An Act to increase access to disposable menstrual products

H 4611 requires public facilities across Massachusetts to provide free disposable menstrual products (like tampons and sanitary napkins) to menstruating individuals. It mandates this in all government-owned buildings, public colleges, shelters, schools, and correctional facilities. Products must be available in accessible restroom locations without stigmatizing the user. The law applies to all entities listed in the bill, including schools, shelters, and jails, ensuring no-cost access in designated areas. It does not cover private businesses or general public spaces outside these specified settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates free menstrual products in public facilities, improving access to essential health-related items under public health initiatives, aligning with healthcare access goals.75% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 9, 2026

H 3159: An Act supporting family caregivers

HD 3456 creates new support for family caregivers in Massachusetts. It establishes an advisory council to develop policy recommendations and reports on caregiving needs, and provides two concrete financial supports: (1) a respite services voucher covering up to $1,500 annually for caregivers with household income under $250,000 (adjusting yearly for inflation), and (2) a refundable tax credit covering up to $1,500 for eligible caregiving expenses like home modifications, equipment, hiring help, or respite care. The bill directly affects Massachusetts residents caring for eligible family members (18+ needing assistance with daily tasks like bathing or dressing) who meet income thresholds. Key provisions include income limits, expense categories, and annual reporting requirements for both programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill proposes tax credits for family caregivers, directly advancing tax relief and fiscal support for caregivers, aligning with budget/tax support indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTax credits for caregivers and advisory council establish support structure, enhancing healthcare access and reducing burden on formal care systems.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 15, 2026

H 2528: An Act establishing the psychology interjurisdictional compact

HD 530 establishes the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) to allow licensed psychologists to provide services across state lines under specific conditions. It enables telepsychology (online sessions) and temporary in-person practice (up to 30 days per year) in states that have joined the compact, without requiring a separate license in the "distant state." The compact creates standardized processes for verifying licenses, sharing disciplinary records, and issuing temporary authorization certificates (like the "E.Passport" and "Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate"). This directly affects licensed psychologists seeking to serve clients in other compact states and expands public access to psychological services while maintaining state-level regulatory oversight for safety.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes psychology interjurisdictional compact to enable cross-state practice, directly improving mental health service access under Public Health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

H 2371: An Act removing barriers to care for physician assistants

HD 774 removes barriers for physician assistants (PAs) by expanding their scope of practice and improving access to care. The bill allows PAs to perform medical services within their training without requiring physician supervision for certain tasks, ensures insurance coverage for PA-provided services identical to those by physicians, and permits PAs to bill insurers directly. It also establishes a 2,000-hour collaborative practice requirement in hospital settings for PA licensure. This directly affects PAs, patients seeking care, and healthcare insurers by streamlining care delivery and billing processes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves barriers to physician assistant practice, expanding access to care and aligning with public health goals to improve patient access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 29, 2025

H 2397: An Act establishing a nursing workforce center

This bill establishes the Nursing Workforce Center at the University of Massachusetts medical school in Worcester, replacing the former Nursing Council on Workforce Sustainability. The center will gather data, conduct research, and provide analysis on current and future nursing workforce needs across Massachusetts. It must convene stakeholders (including nurses, healthcare providers, and educators), develop recruitment/retention strategies, prepare annual reports, and make recommendations to state committees and health agencies. The center will be administered by a UMass dean-appointed director and overseen by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. This directly affects nurses, healthcare systems, and state policymakers by creating a centralized resource for addressing workforce challenges.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes nursing workforce center at UMass medical school to strengthen healthcare staffing and support public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 1506: An Act establishing a physical therapy licensure compact

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1506) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to establish a physical therapy licensure compact. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes interstate licensure for physical therapists, improving access to care and supporting healthcare provider mobility under Public Health.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2214: An Act relative to substance use disorder evaluations

This bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to annually collect and report specific data on substance use disorder evaluations. The department must track the frequency and locations of these evaluations, including how many people who received an evaluation later returned to an acute care facility for opioid overdose treatment within the same year. The data must be reported annually by January 1 to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, and the House and Senate Ways and Means committees. The bill does not change treatment protocols or funding but mandates transparency in tracking evaluation outcomes related to opioid overdoses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses substance use disorder evaluations under mental health/substance use recovery, directly supporting healthcare services for these conditions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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