Healthcare (Hospitals)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2136: An Act increasing access to acute hospital at home services

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 806) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to increase access to acute hospital at home services by mandating coverage by commercial insurance plans. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for acute hospital at home services, expanding patient access to healthcare options under insurance plans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2551: An Act relative to enhancing statewide hospital capacity coordination

By Mr. Driscoll, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1515) of William J. Driscoll, Jr. relative to enhancing statewide hospital capacity coordination. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly enhances statewide hospital capacity coordination under Public Health, directly strengthening healthcare infrastructure and services.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 3956: An Act exempting Fairview Hospital from determination of need requirements

By Representative Davis of Great Barrington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3956) of Leigh Davis for legislation to exempt Fairview Hospital from determination of need requirements. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempting Fairview Hospital from 'determination of need' requirements facilitates service expansion and improves healthcare access, aligning with support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2328: An Act relative to acute hospital and nursing home governance

This bill (HD 2328) requires all acute-care hospitals and nursing homes in Massachusetts to include a registered nurse (RN) with a current, active license as a voting member on their governing board. The RN must help develop the organization's strategic plan, structure, systems, policies, and programs. It directly affects hospital and nursing home governance by mandating RN representation on boards that make key operational decisions. The requirement applies to all facilities meeting the definitions in the law, ensuring nurse input in leadership planning.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates RN representation on hospital/nursing home boards to influence strategic decisions, strengthening clinical input in healthcare governance and patient care policies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals Long-Term Care

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1658: An Act relative to the closing of hospital essential services

This bill requires hospitals in Massachusetts to give at least one year's notice before closing or discontinuing essential health services. Hospitals must notify patients, staff, unions, local officials, and state departments 30 days prior to submitting closure plans, and provide detailed community engagement plans. The state department must review closures to ensure continued access, requiring hospitals to create a community oversight committee (with patient, staff, and municipal representatives) if services are discontinued. Hospitals that skip these steps face legal action to maintain services and lose eligibility for new hospital licenses for three years.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospitals to provide year-long notice and community oversight before closing essential services, ensuring continued patient access and preventing abrupt disruptions to healthcare delivery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 15, 2026

H 4553: An Act requiring coverage of medically necessary oral and dental care for head and neck cancer survivor

This bill (H 4553) requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover specific dental and oral care for head and neck cancer survivors. It directly affects state employees (active and retired) and private insurance policyholders by mandating coverage for: dental care before cancer treatment (like chemotherapy/radiation), post-treatment care to address side effects (tooth decay, infections), and rehabilitation services (including dental implants, speech/swallowing aids, and devices to restore appearance). The law applies to state group insurance plans, health insurance divisions, and private insurance policies covering hospital/surgical benefits. It specifies coverage for preventative care, medically necessary procedures, and rehabilitation tied directly to head and neck cancer treatment or its side effects.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for essential dental/oral care for cancer survivors, expanding access to necessary healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2494: An Act relative to emergency room procedure for prescribing or dispensing pain medication to certain persons on probation

By Representative McKenna of Sutton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2494) of Joseph D. McKenna relative to procedures for prescribing or dispensing pain medications in emergency rooms to certain persons on probation. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSets ER procedures for pain meds to probationers, ensuring healthcare access under Public Health, aligning with patient care protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2534: An Act preserving access to hospital services

By Representative Scarsdale of Pepperell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2534) of Margaret R. Scarsdale and Michael D. Brady that the Department of Public Health create a process for state receivership for certain hospitals or free-standing clinics that provides essential health services. Public Health.

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 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

By Representative Ayers of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2363) of Bruce J. Ayers that the Department of Public Health study the feasibility of incentivizing inpatient psychiatric hospitals to admit patients directly from community behavioral health centers. Public Health.

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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in committee · Massachusetts · House Aug 4, 2026

H 4618: An Act to promote increased access to patient care through equitable reimbursement

H 4618 requires health insurers and government health plans to reimburse certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) at the same rate as physicians for comparable services, eliminating reimbursement disparities. It applies to Commonwealth employee health plans, Medicaid managed care, and private insurance policies covering hospital/surgical care. The bill mandates that claims must include the provider's National Provider Identifier and explicitly prohibits reducing physician payments to fund CRNA reimbursements. Key provisions ensure CRNAs and physicians receive identical payment rates when acting within their licensed scope, while allowing equal quality-based reimbursement adjustments for both groups.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates reimbursement disparities for CRNAs, promoting equitable access to care and expanding provider options under insurance plans.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates equal reimbursement rates for CRNAs vs physicians, directly advancing wage equity for healthcare workers and protecting their compensation rights within employment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals

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