Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 251: An Act relative to health equity and community health workers

By Ms. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 251) of Robyn K. Kennedy for legislation relative to health equity and community health workers. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes health equity via community health workers, directly improving access to underserved populations and aligning with healthcare access indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

H 2201: An Act relative to ensuring quality mental health services in state correctional facilities

HD 2257 requires the Commissioner of Mental Health to oversee mental health services for prisoners in state correctional facilities. It directly affects inmates receiving mental health care, the Department of Correction, and mental health service providers working in prisons. Key provisions include the Commissioner reviewing and approving all contracts for these services, setting minimum service standards, and conducting biannual facility audits to ensure compliance. The bill also mandates that mental health professionals in correctional settings operate under the Department of Mental Health's supervision.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates quality mental health services in correctional facilities, strengthening access to care and aligning with mental health protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2534: An Act preserving access to hospital services

This bill requires the state to establish regulations allowing temporary state takeover (receivership) of hospitals or free-standing clinics that provide essential health services and either close without giving 90 days' notice or close after a department determination that the closure would disrupt necessary care in the area. It mandates that these regulations include a specific funding source to cover the receivership process. The law directly affects hospitals and clinics offering critical services, aiming to prevent abrupt closures that would harm community access to healthcare. Key provisions include the 90-day notice requirement and state authority to step in when closures threaten essential health access.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill preserves access to essential health services by creating state receivership process for hospitals/clinics, directly protecting patient access to care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 2104: An Act relative to meeting human service demand by modernizing incentives for the direct care workforce

This bill sets new wage standards for direct care workers in Massachusetts human services programs. It requires that direct care staff wages meet or exceed the 75th percentile of similar jobs in the state (based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data), with salary increases for these roles tied to this benchmark. The law specifically excludes top executives (like CEOs and CFOs) from these wage requirements. It also mandates transparent calculation of fringe benefits and payroll costs for providers, and ensures compliance won't reduce funding for existing social service programs. The changes take effect 180 days after enactment, with a planning process starting July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareModernizing wage incentives for direct care workforce strengthens healthcare access and stability of human services providers, aligning with healthcare workforce funding goals.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill modernizes incentives for direct care workforce wages, directly addressing wage rates under Labor and Workforce Development, advancing worker compensation in human services sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 9, 2025

H 4590: An Act to improve indoor air quality for highly-impacted communities

H 4590 creates a task force to address indoor air pollution in schools, care facilities, housing, and other community buildings. The task force, including health, environmental, and community experts, must develop recommendations for monitoring and fixing air quality issues within one year, with public input required before finalizing. It also mandates the Department of Public Health to create regulations by July 2027 for testing ultrafine particles and black carbon in indoor air, based on current health science. These regulations will require standard testing procedures and public reporting for existing and new buildings. The bill directly affects residents and staff in the specified facilities by establishing new air quality standards and oversight.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates regulations for testing indoor pollutants (ultrafine particles, black carbon) to improve air quality in vulnerable communities, directly reducing pollution and strengthening environmental protections.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates public health department to regulate indoor air quality in care facilities/schools, directly improving public health outcomes as defined in healthcare topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 732: An Act increasing access to universal dental care

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 732) of Lydia Edwards for legislation to increase access to universal dental care for all residents of the commonwealth regardless of immigration status. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly increases access to universal dental care, expanding healthcare coverage for all residents regardless of immigration status.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill explicitly includes immigrants by providing dental care access to 'all residents regardless of immigration status,' directly advancing immigrant services.95% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 4608: An Act to improve access to health care for people with Long COVID

This bill creates a state-funded pilot program to help people with Long COVID access better healthcare in Massachusetts. It requires the health department to develop a "patient navigation" service that connects patients with medical specialists, social support (like transportation or housing help), and resources to address daily challenges. The program must reduce barriers to care, study related conditions (such as ME/CFS or heart disease), and include input from Long COVID patients through a consumer advisory board. The department must report on the pilot's progress within one year, including participation numbers and recommendations for expansion.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareState-funded pilot program improves Long COVID patient access via navigation services, reduces care barriers, and funds support resources per bill summary.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 2363: An Act directing the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to study the feasibility of incentivizing inpatient psychiatric hospitals to admit patients directly from community behavioral health centers

HD 1140 directs Massachusetts' Department of Public Health to study whether offering incentives to inpatient psychiatric hospitals for directly admitting patients from community behavioral health centers would be feasible. The study must examine potential mechanisms for such incentives and assess their impact on patient care transitions. The Department must submit a report with findings and recommendations to legislative committees by January 1, 2027. This bill does not create new policy but mandates a study to inform future decisions about improving psychiatric care coordination.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill studies incentivizing direct admissions from community centers to psychiatric hospitals, improving mental health access and service integration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 9, 2026

H 1255: An Act relative to reducing unnecessary delays in patient care

HD 3295 requires insurance payers to respond to healthcare providers' prior authorization requests within 24 hours, instead of the previous 2 business days. It prohibits payers from using appeals processes or administrative delays to postpone responses once a request is complete. The state health division will conduct audits to verify that payers comply with these new response time requirements. This bill directly affects healthcare providers seeking timely approvals for patient care and the insurance companies handling those requests.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to reduce patient care delays, improving healthcare access and aligning with 'improves patient access' support indicator.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 801: An Act to remove barriers to patient care

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 801) of Michael O. Moore relative to diagnostic evaluation by an advanced practice registered nurse. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes barriers to patient care by enabling advanced practice registered nurses to perform diagnostic evaluations, directly improving healthcare access and service delivery.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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