Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 1394: An Act relative to family members serving as caregivers

This bill expands eligibility for paid caregiving under MassHealth's home and community-based services program. It directly affects legally liable family members (including parents, guardians, adult children, and others with legal responsibility) who currently may be excluded from being paid caregivers. The key provision amends the law to explicitly include these individuals within the definition of "family member" for payment purposes, removing barriers imposed by existing statutes. MassHealth must then file a required state plan amendment or waiver to implement this change. The policy change modifies program eligibility rules without altering funding or creating new services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses family caregivers within Health Care Financing, supporting caregiver inclusion in healthcare system structure and access.85% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 2452: An Act relative to health and transportation

SD 2604 requires Massachusetts regional transit authorities to create plans improving access to medical transportation for specific health services, including maternal care, mental health, and substance use disorder treatment. The bill directly affects transit authorities by mandating they develop these plans, which must include connections between regional systems to allow seamless travel across areas. Key provisions include a 12-month deadline for submitting the plans and recommendations to the Executive Office of Transportation, the Department of Public Health, and legislative clerks. The law focuses on making healthcare transportation more timely and efficient for residents.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures timely transportation to medical services, directly improving patient access to healthcare as per support indicators.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates timely transportation access to medical services, enhancing healthcare access via transportation infrastructure.92% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 18, 2026

H 3025: An Act relative to long-term care insurance tax credit

This bill creates a tax credit for individuals with long-term care insurance policies. It allows eligible people to claim a 20% credit against their excise tax (under Chapter 62) for premiums paid, starting in taxable years ending after December 31, 2023. To claim the credit, individuals must provide required information to the Department of Revenue, which will establish necessary regulations. The credit directly affects residents purchasing qualifying long-term care insurance policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax credit for long-term care insurance, reducing tax burden - direct tax relief under Revenue subject.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTax credit for long-term care insurance expands access to coverage, directly supporting healthcare access under public health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 18, 2026

H 3237: An Act relative to medical and dental expense deductions

This bill removes a requirement that Massachusetts taxpayers must itemize deductions on their federal income tax return to claim medical and dental expense deductions on their state return. It directly affects individuals who itemize federal taxes and claim these specific deductions. The key change simplifies the process by eliminating the federal filing condition, allowing eligible taxpayers to deduct qualifying medical and dental expenses without needing to itemize federally. The Department of Revenue will implement the change through necessary regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax deductions for medical/dental expenses, reducing taxable income - providing direct tax relief to individuals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows tax deductions for medical/dental expenses, reducing out-of-pocket costs and improving patient access to care by lowering financial barriers.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 4488: An Act relative to pharmacy benefit managers reimbursements to pharmacies in the Commonwealth

This bill requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Massachusetts to set and update drug reimbursement rates based on transparent, standardized criteria. It mandates that PBMs provide pharmacies with timely access to their "maximum allowable cost" lists, allow pharmacies to challenge rates below their actual drug purchase costs, and offer a 7-day appeal process for disputes. Pharmacies can refuse to dispense drugs if reimbursement would be lower than their acquisition cost, and PBMs must reimburse pharmacies at least as much as they pay their own affiliated pharmacies. The law applies to all PBMs serving MassHealth and similar programs, with violations treated as unfair trade practices.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires fair PBM reimbursements to pharmacies, preventing drug shortages and ensuring patient access to medications through transparent pricing and dispute resolution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 18, 2025

H 1157: An Act to ensure access to prescription medication and community pharmacies

This bill requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to pay community pharmacies fairly for services, prohibiting practices like "pharmacy steering" (steering patients to PBMs' own pharmacies) and ensuring non-affiliated pharmacies receive equal payment to affiliated ones. It mandates that maximum allowable drug costs for community pharmacies must be at least as high as those paid by Massachusetts Medicaid, with PBMs required to publicly disclose cost-setting methods and update these costs every three business days. Pharmacies can appeal if they believe drug costs are unfairly low or if a drug doesn't meet transparency requirements for inclusion on cost lists. The law directly affects community pharmacies, PBMs, and health benefit plans by standardizing payment fairness and increasing transparency in drug pricing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly ensures access to prescription medication and community pharmacies, directly improving patient access to essential healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 18, 2025

H 1107: An Act prohibiting discrimination against 340b drug discount program participants

This Massachusetts bill prohibits discrimination against participants in the federal 340B drug discount program. It requires insurers, drug companies, and distributors to provide equal reimbursement and treatment to 340B-covered entities (like safety-net hospitals) and their contract pharmacies, banning lower payments, special restrictions, or interference with patient choices to access 340B drugs. The law explicitly forbids denying 340B drug access, disrupting contracts between pharmacies and 340B entities, or demanding extra data as a condition for supplying 340B drugs. Violations are treated as unfair trade practices under Massachusetts law. The bill directly affects healthcare providers and pharmacies participating in the 340B program within Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects 340b program participants, ensuring discounted drug access for healthcare providers and patients, directly advancing affordable medication access under healthcare coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 622: An Act protecting public health and reducing health care costs

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 622) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to protect public health and reduce health care costs. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTitle explicitly states protecting public health and reducing healthcare costs, directly aligning with support indicators for healthcare access and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 4497: An Act ensuring access to specialty medications

This bill establishes a licensing system for specialty pharmacies in Massachusetts that dispense complex medications (like those for cancer or autoimmune conditions). It requires these pharmacies to designate a lead pharmacist who must register with the state, maintain detailed records of dispensed drugs, and report changes annually or after updates. Insurance companies must allow any licensed pharmacy to provide specialty drugs under the same payment terms and cannot block access to these medications. The law directly affects specialty pharmacies (including out-of-state providers needing a license), pharmacists in charge, and insurers, ensuring consistent access to specialty medications within Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to allow access to specialty drugs without blocking, improving patient access to critical medications for cancer/autoimmune conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 785: An Act protecting 340B contract pharmacies

By Representative Murray of Milford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 785) of Brian W. Murray relative to 340B contract pharmacies. Elder Affairs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects 340B contract pharmacies, ensuring continued access to discounted medications for patients, aligning with healthcare access and affordability goals.95% confidence

Track