Healthcare

in committee · Massachusetts · House Aug 7, 2025

HD 4994: An Act relative to breast cancer equity and early detection

By Representative Howard of Lowell, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Vanna Howard relative to breast cancer equity and early detection healthcare coverage. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates breast cancer equity and early detection healthcare coverage, expanding access to preventive services and addressing disparities in care.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Aug 25, 2025

SD 2686: An Act relative to cannabis for Medicare eligible patients

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation relative to cannabis for Medicare eligible patients. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks Medicare coverage for cannabis, expanding healthcare access for eligible patients under public health program framework95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 689: An Act improving access to infertility treatment

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 689) of Cynthia Stone Creem and Jason M. Lewis for legislation to improve access to infertility treatment. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly improves access to infertility treatment, a healthcare service, aligning with 'improves patient access' indicator.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 28, 2025

H 1154: An Act relative to insurance coverage of mobile integrated health

This bill (HD 1974) requires health insurers and health plans in Massachusetts to cover medical, behavioral, and health care services delivered through approved mobile integrated health programs **the same as services provided in a physical health facility**. It prohibits insurers from denying coverage, reducing payments, or imposing higher deductibles/copayments solely because care was delivered via these mobile programs. The law directly affects **health care providers participating in approved mobile health programs**, **insurers**, and **patients** using these services. Additionally, it eliminates application fees for mobile integrated health programs focused on behavioral health (Section 2).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for mobile integrated health services, expanding access to community healthcare options and aligning with coverage expansion indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 769: An Act providing continuity of care for mental health treatment

This bill (SD 936) ensures continuity of mental health treatment for insured individuals when their provider is involuntarily or voluntarily disenrolled from their insurance network (except for quality issues or fraud) or when the insurance company changes. It defines a "continuing course of treatment" as having at least one visit in the past four months for the same or similar mental health condition. The law requires insurance companies to allow patients to continue treatment with that provider through an out-of-network option, paying the usual network reimbursement rate (using the median rate if multiple exist) without adding extra costs or deductibles. Patients cannot be charged more for this option unless the insurance company provides actuarial proof of increased costs, which must be approved by the health department.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directly addresses mental health treatment continuity, ensuring uninterrupted care access - aligns with supporting mental health services under healthcare topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 772: An Act related to comprehensive clinical and extended support services

This bill (SD 971) requires health insurers to cover specific addiction treatment services without prior approval for certain groups. It mandates coverage for acute treatment, clinical stabilization, and transitional support services (defined as short-term residential care after detox) for Commonwealth employees (active or retired) under group insurance, and for Medicaid beneficiaries. The law limits preauthorization for clinical stabilization and transitional support to a 30-day period, requires facilities to notify insurers within 48 hours of admission, and restricts insurers from denying future care based on utilization reviews before 30 days of service. Medical necessity is determined by the treating clinician, not insurers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly increases mandatory coverage for addiction care recovery, expanding health services and patient access to mental health treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 771: An Act relative to dual diagnosis treatment coverage

This bill (SD 947) requires health insurance plans to cover specific addiction and mental health treatments without preauthorization. It defines "acute treatment," "clinical stabilization," and "co-occurring treatment" services as 24-hour inpatient care for substance use and mental health conditions, with a 14-day maximum coverage limit. The law applies to state employee health plans (Section 1), Medicaid programs (Section 2), and private insurance policies meeting "creditable coverage" standards (Section 3), mandating coverage for these services while requiring facilities to notify insurers within 48 hours of admission. Utilization reviews can begin after day 7 of treatment. The policy change directly affects individuals seeking these treatments through these specific insurance programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates coverage for dual diagnosis treatment, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 703: An Act improving access to community behavioral health centers

By Mr. Cronin, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 703) of John J. Cronin, Jason M. Lewis, Michael O. Moore, John F. Keenan and other members of the Senate for legislation relative to community behavioral health centers. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly improves access to community behavioral health centers, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 28, 2026

H 4012: An Act relative to ensuring access to neurological disorder screenings for firefighters

This bill is a draft (as noted in the text) focused on ensuring access to neurological disorder screenings for firefighters. Since the bill text is marked as "DRAFT BEING WORKED ON BY HOUSE COUNSEL" with no substantive provisions provided, specific mechanisms or policy changes cannot be summarized. The title indicates it aims to address screenings for neurological conditions affecting firefighters, but no concrete details are available in the current draft. A full summary would require the finalized bill text.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures access to neurological screenings for firefighters, directly improving healthcare access for a specific occupational group within public health services.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 22, 2026

H 1076: An Act relative to colon cancer screening

HD 3701 requires comprehensive colorectal cancer screening coverage with no out-of-pocket costs for specific groups starting at age 30. It mandates coverage for state employees (via Chapter 32A), Medicaid recipients (Chapter 118E), and private insurance policyholders (Chapters 175, 176A, 176B) using multiple screening methods like colonoscopy, FIT stool tests, and CT colonography. The bill prohibits co-pays, deductibles, or additional charges for all related services, including lab work, physician visits, and polyp removal during screening. It directly affects insured individuals aged 30+ in these coverage categories by ensuring free, medically necessary screening under their existing plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates colon cancer screening, improving preventive healthcare access and early detection, directly advancing public health services.95% confidence

Track