Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 796: An Act relative to reducing unnecessary delays in patient care

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 796) of Mark C. Montigny and Christopher M. Markey for legislation to reduce unnecessary insurance delays in patient care. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly targets reducing insurance delays in patient care, improving access to healthcare services per support indicators.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 762: An Act relative to streamlining notice and disclosure

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 762) of Cindy F. Friedman relative to disclosure of insurance allowed amounts for admissions, procedures or services by healthcare providers. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates healthcare providers to disclose insurance allowed amounts, improving cost transparency for patients and enhancing access to care.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 770: An Act to prevent inappropriate denials by insurers for medically necessary services

This bill requires health insurers to cover medically necessary services ordered by a treating provider that follow the insurer's clinical criteria, preventing denials based solely on administrative errors like missing authorizations. Insurers cannot deny claims for technical issues (except suspected fraud) and must stop recouping payments after 12 months (or 90 days for retroactively terminated coverage), with providers getting 30 days to challenge any recoupment. If a claim is denied due to missing authorization, insurers must conduct a 30-day retrospective review; if the service is deemed medically necessary, they must reverse the denial and pay. The law directly affects insurers and healthcare providers by standardizing claim handling and appeal processes for covered services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents insurers from denying medically necessary services, directly protecting patient access to care and aligning with patient rights indicators.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2234: An Act establishing alternative models for behavioral health transport

This bill establishes five regional pilot programs across Massachusetts to test non-emergency transport options for behavioral health patients (e.g., mental health or substance use treatment), replacing ambulance use where appropriate. It requires MassHealth, insurers, and behavioral health providers to reimburse these alternative transport services for participants in the pilots. The Health Policy Commission must study the pilots’ effectiveness, measuring factors like transfer times, reduced stigma, cost-efficiency, and how reimbursement compares to traditional ambulance transport. The goal is to evaluate whether these models improve access and resource use before potentially expanding them statewide.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill examines alternative transport models for behavioral health patients, directly improving access to mental health services under the topic's scope.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2224: An Act relative to improving mental health care through innovation

HD 2525 establishes a state program to advance mental health technology innovation through grants for research, development, and pilot projects. It creates a dedicated "Mental Health and Innovation Fund" (not subject to annual appropriation) to support mental healthcare technology initiatives, funded by grants, private contributions, and investment income. The bill mandates an oversight committee - including agency leaders, tech experts, and parent advocates - to guide the program and fund use. This directly affects state mental health agencies, healthcare providers receiving grants, and technology companies developing mental health solutions. The policy focuses on closing the innovation gap in mental healthcare by leveraging Massachusetts' existing strengths in biotech and medical technology sectors.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes new mental health treatment program, directly advancing mental health services under healthcare topic per summary and subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 755: An Act providing for prompt health insurance benefits for municipal employees

By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 755) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation related to health insurance benefits for municipal employees. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates timely health insurance benefits for municipal employees, expanding coverage access and aligning with support indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates prompt health insurance benefits for municipal employees, directly expanding worker benefits under employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 4, 2025

H 2526: An Act relative to the provision and administration of bronchodilators, spacers, and nebulizers in schools

HD 1176 allows Massachusetts schools to maintain emergency asthma medication supplies (bronchodilators, spacers, nebulizers) for students with asthma. It requires schools to have an asthma action plan from a healthcare provider and written parental permission for each student using the medication. Trained school staff (not just nurses), called "designated unlicensed assistive personnel," can administer the medication under a school nurse's direction, following specific safety protocols. The bill also mandates annual reporting on medication use and provides legal immunity for school staff who follow its procedures, protecting them from liability in good-faith emergency situations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates provision of respiratory medical devices in schools, improving student access to essential health services for conditions like asthma under public health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

H 2216: An Act relative to the administration of anti-psychotic or other psychotropic substances to nursing home residents

This bill defines "psychotropic" medications (including antipsychotics, antidepressants, and similar drugs) for nursing home use. It requires nursing homes to submit quarterly reports on these medications to federal health programs, publicly post the reports online, and document in resident care plans the prescriber's details, evaluation date, reasons for use, and proof of informed consent. Failure to submit reports may result in fines or suspension of new admissions. The law directly affects nursing homes, residents receiving psychotropic medications, and their guardians.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill regulates psychotropic drug administration in nursing homes to protect residents, directly supporting mental health care standards and patient safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 30, 2026

H 2396: An Act relative to safe patient handling and mobility in certain health facilities

This bill requires hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities to replace manual patient lifting with equipment-based handling by December 1, 2025. It mandates facilities to form committees (with at least half non-managerial staff) within six months, conduct ergonomic evaluations in all patient care areas, and implement written policies using mechanical lifts, transfer aids, and motorized beds. Facilities must train all direct caregivers on safe techniques and equipment, minimizing manual lifting except in emergencies. The policy directly affects healthcare workers and patients in these facilities by reducing injury risks during transfers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates safe patient handling protocols in health facilities, directly improving patient safety and care quality under public health initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1394: An Act ensuring efficient and effective implementation of behavioral health reform

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1394) of Julian Cyr for legislation to ensure efficient and effective implementation of behavioral health reform. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly focuses on implementing behavioral health reform, directly supporting mental health and substance use services through efficient implementation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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