Healthcare (Hospitals)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4076: An Act relative to essential services

This bill requires hospitals in Massachusetts to provide 90 days' notice before closing or discontinuing any "essential health service." The Department of Health must define "essential health service" through regulation, hold public hearings on proposed closures, and assess whether the closure would reduce access to necessary care in the community. Hospitals must also submit a community benefits plan - including strategies for maintaining essential services - to the Department when applying for a new acute-care hospital license. The bill directly affects hospitals seeking to close facilities or discontinue services, and the Department of Health, which gains oversight authority to protect access to critical care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires 90-day notice for hospital service closures, mandates access assessment, and community benefits plans to maintain essential health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 601: An Act relative to the practice of acupuncture

This bill creates a commission on acupuncture and wellness to study how to better integrate acupuncture into Massachusetts healthcare, focusing on pain management, substance abuse treatment, and wellness. It mandates that all health insurance policies, hospital service plans, and health maintenance contracts cover acupuncture for specific conditions including pain management, PTSD, substance abuse, and nausea. The bill also requires insurers to reimburse licensed acupuncturists and medical doctors equally for acupuncture services, prohibiting different payment rates based on provider type. This affects insurers, healthcare providers, and patients seeking acupuncture coverage for these conditions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for acupuncture in pain management, PTSD, substance abuse, and nausea, expanding access to non-traditional healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Substance Abuse

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 27, 2026

H 4340: An Act relative to telehealth parity for nutrition counseling

H 4340 requires health insurance plans and providers to pay the same rate for telehealth nutrition counseling as they do for in-person sessions. It specifically applies to licensed dietitians/nutritionists providing medical nutrition therapy (nutrition care for disease prevention, management, or treatment) via video or phone calls. The bill mandates equal reimbursement rates for telehealth services under most health insurance policies, including employer plans and hospital service corporations, ensuring providers aren’t penalized for offering virtual care. This directly affects dietitians/nutritionists and insurers covering these services in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance reimbursement for telehealth nutrition counseling, improving patient access to medical nutrition therapy services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Public Health Telehealth

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 15, 2026

H 4345: An Act improving access to breast pumps

This bill requires health insurance plans to cover multi-user breast pumps for mothers of newborns with specific medical needs, such as those in intensive care or with conditions preventing direct breastfeeding. It mandates coverage for the pump's rental, replacement parts (like tubing and valves), storage bags, and microwave sterilization bags. Additionally, it requires coverage for initial and ongoing support from International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs). The pump must be provided within 24 hours of hospital discharge, applying to Commonwealth employees' group insurance, Medicaid plans, and private health insurance policies meeting certain criteria.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for breast pumps, parts, and lactation support, directly expanding health insurance access and patient care for maternal health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 806: 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 commercial insurance coverage for acute hospital at home services, expanding patient access to care95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 18, 2025

H 3313: An Act transferring Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health

By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3313) of Marjorie C. Decker, Susannah M. Whipps and Rodney M. Elliott for legislation to transfer Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTransferring a correctional hospital to mental health department aligns with reform by prioritizing specialized care over incarceration for mental health needs, reducing recidivism through proper treatment.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTransferring Bridgewater State Hospital to Department of Mental Health directly strengthens mental health services, a core healthcare component.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1515: 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 hospital capacity coordination under Public Health, improving healthcare system infrastructure and access without restrictions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1535: An Act promoting patient safety and equitable access to care

HD 1535 establishes statewide limits on the number of patients a registered nurse can care for at one time in hospitals, affecting all hospital units including emergency departments, maternity care, pediatric units, and psychiatric care. The Department of Public Health will create specific ratio limits through regulations, requiring hospitals to submit compliance plans if violations occur and imposing civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation. The law also prohibits retaliation against nurses who report violations and mandates public hearings before regulations are finalized. These changes apply to all hospitals providing 24/7 inpatient care, including teaching hospitals like UMass Medical School.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes nurse-to-patient ratios to enhance safety and access, directly aligning with patient protection and equitable care goals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentSets nurse-to-patient ratios to improve workplace safety and prohibits retaliation against nurses, directly protecting labor rights in healthcare settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Healthcare Workforce Hospitals

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2239: An Act relative to treatment for substance use disorder

This bill modifies state law to allow hospital physicians to temporarily restrain and initiate a 3-day treatment period for patients who have recently had a substance use evaluation (within seven days) and then return with an opiate overdose or after receiving naloxone. The treatment must occur at a facility authorized by the Department of Public Health or Department of Mental Health. It specifically applies to individuals with opiate-related incidents meeting these criteria, requiring the evaluation to have occurred within the prior week. The provision aims to streamline immediate access to care for those experiencing acute opiate-related emergencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables immediate treatment access for opiate overdose patients via authorized facilities, expanding public health response to substance use disorder.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Public Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 16, 2025

HD 4744: An Act ensuring access and continuity of care to specialist and hospital services for dually eligible individuals

By Representative O'Day of West Boylston, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of James J. O'Day relative to access and continuity of care to specialist and hospital services for dually eligible individuals. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures access/continuity of specialist/hospital care for dually eligible (Medicare/Medicaid) individuals, directly improving patient access to critical healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Public Health

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