Healthcare

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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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2502: An Act to clarify prescription monitoring program activities

HD 2220 requires the state's prescription monitoring program to exclude testosterone from its tracking system and delete all existing data on testosterone prescriptions. This means healthcare providers no longer need to report testosterone prescriptions to the program, and historical records of such prescriptions will be removed immediately upon the bill's passage. The bill directly affects prescribers (like doctors) and pharmacies that handle testosterone, which is commonly used for hormone therapy. The change applies specifically to testosterone, not other medications, and takes effect right away without requiring additional approval.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies prescription monitoring programs to strengthen public health initiatives against drug abuse, aligning with healthcare support indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2509: An Act relative to the availability of prescription medication during an emergency

HD 2609 requires Massachusetts to create a statewide plan ensuring prescription medication access during a governor-declared emergency. The plan mandates early refills when patients have less than 10 days' supply left (with pharmacist prescriber confirmation), grants medication delivery vehicles equal road access as emergency vehicles, and coordinates pharmaceutical industry stakeholders to avoid supply chain duplication. It also establishes a safety net with a toll-free hotline and website to help residents locate medications if local supplies run out. This bill directly affects patients relying on prescriptions during crises, pharmacies, and emergency response systems. The plan becomes active during declared emergencies under state law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures prescription medication availability during emergencies, directly improving patient access to critical healthcare services under Public Health jurisdiction.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 1415: An Act to protect qualified medicare beneficiaries from improper billing

This bill prohibits Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and MassHealth providers from billing QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) beneficiaries for Medicare Part A or Part B cost-sharing, such as deductibles or co-pays. It directly protects low-income Medicare beneficiaries in the QMB eligibility group, who qualify for full Medicare cost-sharing assistance under federal and state law. Providers who violate this rule face potential sanctions, including monetary fines, within 90 days of the law taking effect, though minor errors or good-faith mistakes may be considered mitigating circumstances. The law aims to prevent improper billing by requiring providers to comply with existing cost-sharing protections for this specific beneficiary group.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects Medicare beneficiaries from improper billing, safeguarding patient rights and preventing financial harm in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 1960: An Act establishing tax credits for health care preceptorship

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1960) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to establish tax credits for health care preceptorship that pairs an eligible student with a health care practitioner to attain specified learning objectives. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes tax credits for health care preceptorship, providing tax relief which aligns with fiscal support for targeted programs under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes tax credits for healthcare preceptorship, directly funding training programs to strengthen healthcare workforce development and improve access to care.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 479: An Act to improve transparency and accountability for residents of long-term care

By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 479) of Joan B. Lovely and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to improve transparency and accountability for residents of long-term care. Elder Affairs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enhances transparency/accountability in long-term care facilities, directly improving resident care quality within healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 1504: An Act to protect Massachusetts public health from PFAS

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1504) of Julian Cyr, Joanne M. Comerford, James B. Eldridge, John F. Keenan and others for legislation to protect Massachusetts public health from Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) a group of chemicals that are used in many consumer products and industrial processes. Public Health.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill targets PFAS chemicals linked to environmental contamination and public health risks, directly advancing pollution control and environmental protection.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly targets PFAS exposure to protect public health, advancing healthcare protection initiatives through environmental safety measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 795: An Act promoting infection prevention and privacy for residents of nursing homes

By Representative Turco of Winthrop, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 795) of Jeffrey Rosario Turco relative to single-occupancy rooms in nursing homes. Elder Affairs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes infection prevention and privacy for nursing home residents, strengthening patient safety and rights in healthcare services.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 759: An Act improving oversight in long-term care facilities

HD 1954 allows residents in private, single-occupancy rooms at Massachusetts long-term care facilities, or their family members or healthcare agents with consent, to install monitoring devices like two-way cameras. The bill requires notifying the facility before installation and posting visible signage in the room. Facilities must inform staff about active devices, and the person installing the device bears all costs. Recordings may only be shared for complaints, legal proceedings, or as required by law, with the department later setting privacy standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves oversight in long-term care facilities, enhancing resident safety and care quality - directly advancing healthcare protection standards in elder care services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 8, 2025

H 476: An Act relative to medical debt exclusion from creditor reports

This bill (HD 141) changes how medical debt appears on credit reports. It requires credit bureaus to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports if the debt is older than 7 years, regardless of whether it was paid. This directly affects individuals with medical bills who have not paid them within the 7-year reporting window. The key provision amends state law to exclude medical debt from credit reports after this 7-year period, while leaving other debt collection rules unchanged.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExcludes medical debt from credit reports, protecting patients from credit damage due to healthcare costs, aligning with patient rights and access support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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