Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 4, 2026

H 2918: An Act relative to mandatory coverage for certain health screenings for firefighters

This bill requires health insurance plans to cover specific cancer screenings (bladder, cervical, lung, and testicular) for firefighters without any out-of-pocket costs. It directly affects all firefighters - permanent, part-time, volunteer, and reserve - when referred by their primary care physician. The key provision mandates that insurance plans must cover the full cost of these screenings, eliminating deductibles, co-payments, or other cost-sharing requirements. This applies to all insurance plans covering firefighters, including those under Chapters 32A, 175, 176A, 176B, or 176G of the General Laws.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for firefighter health screenings, expanding preventive care access under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2365: An Act relative to the civilian certification of military medical personnel

This bill creates a program allowing military medical personnel (like Army medics, Navy corpsmen, or Air Force technicians) who were honorably discharged to practice certain medical tasks under a licensed physician's supervision in Massachusetts. It establishes limited registration for these veterans, enabling them to perform duties matching their military training while a supervising physician retains full patient care responsibility. Participating hospitals, clinics, or physicians must apply for certification through the Department of Public Health. The program directly affects recent military medical veterans seeking civilian medical careers and healthcare facilities in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables military medical personnel to work in civilian roles, expanding healthcare workforce access and supporting public health services.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransFacilitates civilian certification for military medical personnel, aiding veteran employment transition in healthcare sector.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 4077: An Act mandating retrofitting accessibility for all medical facilities

This bill requires all licensed medical facilities in the state to make physical accessibility improvements, directly affecting hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers. Key provisions mandate specific upgrades like automatic doors, chairs with handles, wider hallways, and bathroom railings, among other necessary changes. The department of health will create detailed regulations (via Chapter 30A) to define what accessibility enhancements are required and set minimum standards. The law focuses on concrete building modifications to improve access for patients with mobility challenges.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates accessibility retrofits in medical facilities, improving patient access to healthcare services per Public Health focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2558: An Act relative to prescription eyewear

This bill requires Massachusetts-licensed physicians and optometrists to include a patient's pupillary distance (the measurement between pupils) on all eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions. It prohibits providers from charging extra fees for adding this information to prescriptions. The law directly affects patients seeking vision correction and healthcare providers who issue these prescriptions. The optometry board must create specific rules to implement these requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allows licensed physicians/optometrists to issue eyewear prescriptions, improving patient access to vision care services under Public Health.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 2, 2026

S 2064: An Act establishing a living organ donor tax credit

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2064) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to establish a living organ donor tax credit. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes a tax credit, reducing taxable income and providing tax relief under fiscal policy, directly impacting state revenue management.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTax credit incentivizes organ donation, improving access to transplant services and supporting healthcare system needs for organ recipients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 488: An Act requiring the certification of medical directors in skilled nursing facilities

By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 488) of Jacob R. Oliveira and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to require the certification of medical directors in skilled nursing facilities. Elder Affairs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires certification of medical directors in skilled nursing facilities, strengthening oversight and quality standards for long-term care patients.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 23, 2026

H 547: An Act relative to providing health education in schools

By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 547) of Marjorie C. Decker relative to health education in schools. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates health education in schools, enhancing curriculum and student programs within educational policy framework.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates health education in schools, a preventive public health initiative that promotes health literacy and wellness programs, aligning with healthcare support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 253: An Act establishing guardians as providers of medical care to support the rights of incapacitated persons

This bill allows court-appointed guardians to be paid directly for arranging medical care for incapacitated people (those unable to make their own health decisions). It creates specific rules for guardians to qualify as "providers," requiring proof of court appointment, a sworn statement of service dates, and confirmation they are not immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, or sibling). Guardians must submit claims with court documents, and payments cannot duplicate existing insurance coverage. The law also sets new payment rates for guardians based on regional costs, inflation, and geographic wage differences.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures guardians can provide medical care, protecting rights of incapacitated persons - directly supports patient rights in healthcare.85% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 1324: An Act relative to prescription drug pricing

This bill requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to obtain a license from the Massachusetts insurance commissioner before providing drug pricing services. It establishes rules for how PBMs set reimbursement rates for prescription drugs ("Maximum Allowable Cost" or MAC), requiring them to update these rates every 7 days and base them on FDA-approved drug lists. PBMs must also provide transparent pricing information to hospitals and insurers about the difference between what they pay pharmacies and what they bill covered entities. Pharmacies can appeal low reimbursement rates under a standardized process, and PBMs must respond to appeals within 10 business days. The law directly affects PBMs, hospitals, insurers, and employers offering health coverage in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill targets prescription drug pricing, aiming to lower costs and improve patient access to medications, directly supporting healthcare affordability and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 1334: An Act to enact pharmacy benefit manager duties

HD 2276 establishes new duties for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to act transparently and in the best interest of patients, health insurance plans, and pharmacies. It requires PBMs to disclose conflicts of interest, explain fees clearly, and prevent "spread pricing" (charging more than the drug cost plus dispensing fee). The law prioritizes patient interests over other parties and mandates transparency in formulary design, billing, and pricing. This directly affects all PBMs working with health insurance plans in the state, including their fees, pricing practices, and interactions with patients and pharmacies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulating pharmacy benefit manager duties typically aims to improve drug access and affordability, aligning with healthcare support indicators like protecting patient rights and enhancing coverage.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track