Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 716: An Act relative to telehealth parity for nutrition counseling

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 716) of Julian Cyr for legislation relative to telehealth parity for nutrition counseling. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates telehealth parity for nutrition counseling, ensuring equal insurance coverage as in-person visits, expanding patient access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 28, 2025

H 1162: An Act to reduce inequities in access to medical procedures

This bill prohibits health insurance companies from reducing payments to healthcare providers for evaluation visits or procedures when multiple covered services (like minor surgery) are provided during the same appointment. It specifically stops insurers from penalizing providers financially for offering comprehensive care in a single visit. The law directly affects doctors, clinics, and hospitals that bill for multiple services per patient encounter. It ensures providers receive full payment for all covered services rendered on the same day, removing a financial barrier to integrated care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly targets reducing access inequities in medical procedures through insurance payment adjustments, directly improving patient access to care.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 176: An Act further defining eligibility for medical use marijuana

By Representative Soter of Bellingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 176) of Michael J. Soter, Brian W. Murray and Joseph D. McKenna for legislation to further regulate eligibility for medical use marijuana. Cannabis Policy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies eligibility for medical marijuana, improving patient access to healthcare treatment within cannabis policy framework.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 1484: An Act to reduce incidence and death from pancreatic cancer

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1484) of Joanne M. Comerford, Mark C. Montigny, Danillo A. Sena, Paul K. Frost and other members of the General Court for legislation to reduce incidence and death from pancreatic cancer. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directly targets public health initiative to reduce pancreatic cancer deaths, advancing healthcare prevention and access through legislative action.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1578: An Act measuring the impact of Long COVID in the Commonwealth

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1578) of Liz Miranda for legislation to create an evidence-based culturally-specific patient navigation pilot program for people living with a Long COVID diagnosis. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates a culturally-specific patient navigation pilot program for Long COVID patients under Public Health, improving healthcare access and addressing a specific health condition.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 745: An Act limiting out of pocket health expenses

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 745) of Paul R. Feeney and Michael J. Barrett for legislation to limit out of pocket health expenses. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly limits out-of-pocket health expenses, reducing patient financial barriers and improving healthcare access.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 774: An Act relative to requiring insurance providers cover a minimum of 30 days for in-patient substance abuse treatment

This bill (SD 487) amends Massachusetts insurance law to require coverage for a minimum of 30 days of in-patient substance abuse treatment, increasing the current minimum from 14 days. It directly affects health insurance providers in Massachusetts, mandating they cover longer in-patient treatment stays for substance use disorders. The bill updates specific sections of Chapter 258 (the state's health insurance law) by replacing "14" with "30" in multiple provisions governing coverage requirements. This change ensures insurance plans must cover at least 30 days of in-patient care, rather than the previous 14-day minimum, for qualifying substance abuse treatment. The policy change applies to all health insurance plans regulated under Massachusetts law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for 30-day in-patient substance abuse treatment, expanding mental health service access and aligning with healthcare support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 835: An Act to further define medical necessity determinations

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 835) of John C. Velis relative to health plan coverage for medically necessary mental health crisis stabilization services. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures health plan coverage for medically necessary mental health crisis stabilization services, directly supporting access to mental health care under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 1308: An Act relative to protecting reproductive destiny

This bill (HD 713) protects vulnerable adults by requiring physicians to confirm informed consent before performing sterilizations on individuals aged 18+ in institutions or under guardianship (Chapter 112 amendment). It also expands Medicaid coverage for voluntary female sterilization, mandating that coverage be provided even without the federal 30-day waiting period if patients complete "Decision Counseling" and sign an informed written consent (Chapter 118E amendment). The law directly affects healthcare providers, Medicaid recipients, and individuals under guardianship or in state institutions. Key mechanisms include the consent requirement for sterilizations and the Medicaid coverage rule tied to counseling and written consent. The bill focuses on ensuring patient autonomy and access to covered reproductive services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates health insurance coverage for voluntary female sterilization, expanding access to reproductive healthcare services under health insurance coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2457: An Act relative to fentanyl testing

This bill requires general acute care hospitals in Massachusetts to include fentanyl testing in standard urine drug screenings when treating patients for diagnosis. It directly affects hospitals that conduct such screenings, mandating they test for fentanyl alongside other drugs like opioids and cocaine. The key provision specifies that "urine drug screening" must now include fentanyl, with the Department of Public Health authorized to create necessary regulations for implementation. This policy change aims to improve detection of fentanyl exposure in medical settings without altering existing screening protocols for other substances.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires fentanyl testing in hospital urine screenings under Public Health, enhancing opioid crisis response and patient safety protocols in healthcare settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse

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