Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 24, 2025

S 162: An Act authorizing the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to establish a Direct Care Worker Medication Administration Program Registry

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 162) of Liz Miranda for legislation to authorize the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to establish a Direct Care Worker Medication Administration Program Registry. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes registry for medication administration by direct care workers, enhancing oversight and safety in healthcare delivery.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 15, 2026

H 2656: An Act to promote rehabilitation including guaranteed health, treatment, and safety for incarcerated LGBTQI+ People

HD 1910 requires all Massachusetts state and county correctional facilities to appoint an LGBTQI+ coordinator. These coordinators must ensure safe housing, coordinate programs and health resources (including HIV-related materials), and support LGBTQI+ groups. The bill mandates that incarcerated people can voluntarily share their sexual orientation or gender identity at intake or anytime, and prohibits housing them with individuals expressing anti-LGBTQI+ sentiments. Facilities must publicly report anonymized data on safety incidents and LGBTQI+ needs annually, including compliance with federal prison rape prevention standards. This directly affects incarcerated LGBTQI+ individuals by establishing new protections and accountability measures within correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly promotes rehabilitation for incarcerated LGBTQI+ people through guaranteed health, treatment, and safety, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareGuarantees health, treatment, and safety for incarcerated LGBTQI+ individuals, directly advancing healthcare access for a vulnerable population.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 2529: An Act to create equitable approaches to public health

This bill creates a state grant program administered by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to fund community-based organizations that provide non-law-enforcement responses to certain 911 calls and non-emergency situations. It directly affects local governments, community organizations, and residents by supporting alternatives to police involvement for mental health crises, violence prevention, and social service referrals. Key provisions include requiring competitive grants for partnerships between local governments and community groups, mandating evaluation of outcomes like reduced police calls and improved service access, and prohibiting grant funds from going to law enforcement agencies. The program also requires community stakeholder boards and detailed application requirements focused on service planning, community engagement, and data collection.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes equitable public health grant program, advancing access and funding for health services per title/summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1874: An Act improving medical decision making

HD 3290, "An Act improving medical decision making," updates Massachusetts law to streamline medical decisions for adults who become incapacitated without an advance directive (like a health care proxy or MOLST form). It establishes a clear priority order for surrogate decision-makers (spouse, adult children, then close friends) and requires surrogates to base decisions on the person’s known wishes or, if unknown, their best interests - considering values, beliefs, and treatment burdens/benefits. Health care providers must make a reasonable inquiry (e.g., checking records or contacting family) to identify a surrogate without court involvement, and are protected from liability for such inquiries. The bill does not apply when valid advance directives exist or for decisions involving mental health facility admissions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves medical decision-making during incapacity, aligning with patient rights protection and healthcare policy enhancement per summary.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1490: An Act relative to modernizing the regulation of clinical laboratories

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1490) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to modernize the regulation of clinical laboratories. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareModernizes clinical lab regulations to improve public health infrastructure and service delivery, aligning with healthcare strengthening indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 1179: An Act increasing access to universal dental care

By Representative González of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1179) of Carlos González relative to access to universal dental care. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to increase access to universal dental care, expanding healthcare coverage and improving patient access to a core health service.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 149: An Act to enhance standards of care for those with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 149) of Jason M. Lewis, James K. Hawkins, John F. Keenan, Manny Cruz and other members of the General Court for legislation to increase current medical providers' knowledge about autism in order to improve treatment. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to enhance medical providers' knowledge of autism to improve treatment standards, directly strengthening healthcare quality for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 1149: An Act relative to requiring dental insurance to cover CBCT scans

This bill is a draft (HD 613) that would require dental insurance plans to cover CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) scans. It would directly affect dental patients and insurance providers in Massachusetts, as it would mandate coverage for these specialized 3D dental imaging scans. The key provision would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for patients needing CBCT scans for procedures like implants or complex extractions, which are currently often excluded or partially covered. However, no specific details about coverage limits, exceptions, or implementation timelines are provided in the draft text. Since this is a work-in-progress draft with no substantive text or summary available, a full policy summary cannot be provided at this stage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates dental insurance coverage for CBCT scans, expanding patient access to necessary dental imaging services under healthcare insurance coverage.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 5, 2026

H 1343: An Act relative to direct primary care

This bill prohibits health insurance carriers from denying payment for covered services solely because a patient was referred by a provider outside the carrier's network. It directly affects insurance companies (carriers) and their enrollees (patients), ensuring referrals from out-of-network doctors don't lead to denied claims. The key provision appears repeatedly across multiple chapters of health insurance law, mandating that payment decisions cannot be based on the referral source alone. The bill does not change coverage for specific treatments or alter prescription rules, focusing solely on referral-based payment denials. It applies to all health plans governed by the referenced statutes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits denial of healthcare payment denials, directly improving patient access and protecting coverage rights per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 1386: An Act to transfer Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health

This bill transfers operation of Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health. It directly affects patients at the hospital, who will now receive care under the Mental Health Department's oversight instead of Corrections. Key provisions include removing all references to the hospital's "medical director" from existing laws, creating a new forensic mental health division within Mental Health, and updating procedures for patient commitments and transfers. The transfer must be completed by December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTransferring Bridgewater State Hospital from Corrections to Mental Health prioritizes treatment over incarceration for mental health cases, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTransferring Bridgewater State Hospital to the Department of Mental Health directly strengthens mental health service coordination and oversight, aligning with healthcare support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Substance Abuse

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