Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1586: An Act relative to smoking cessation agents

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1586) of Michael O. Moore for legislation relative to smoking cessation agents. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes smoking cessation agents, a public health measure directly improving health outcomes and access to preventive care within healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 29, 2026

H 2193: An Act to ensure efficient and effective implementation of the Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform

This bill requires Massachusetts' Secretary of Health and Human Services to coordinate the state's implementation of the "Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform." It directly affects behavioral health providers (like community centers and crisis teams), state agencies, and historically marginalized communities by mandating biennial strategic planning to address staffing, funding, cultural competency, and service coordination. Key mechanisms include setting goals for crisis services (mobile teams, stabilization centers), ensuring reimbursement for critical capacity, and creating a public data dashboard to track service usage, equity gaps, and outcomes. The bill also directs coordination with public safety agencies to streamline crisis response protocols and prioritize feedback from people with lived experience and marginalized groups.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates implementation of behavioral health reform roadmap, directly supporting mental health services expansion under healthcare topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2212: An Act relative to patient opioid notification

This bill requires healthcare providers to discuss specific risks with patients before prescribing strong opioids for pain treatment. Before the first prescription and again before the third prescription in a course of treatment, providers must cover risks of addiction, overdose (especially with alcohol or other sedatives), the necessity of the prescription, alternative treatments, and dangers of misuse. It applies to most opioid prescriptions but excludes patients receiving cancer treatment, hospice care, long-term facility care, or substance abuse treatment. The law mandates providers to document these discussions in the patient's medical record.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates patient notification for initial opioid prescriptions, aiming to prevent misuse and support substance use recovery programs under public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 11, 2026

H 285: An Act relative to health care quality for children and youth

This bill requires health care services for children and youth to meet or exceed pediatric community standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics, including preventative care, health promotion, and continuity of care. It directly affects children in the state's care and custody by mandating these standards for both physical and mental health services. The bill also requires the department to monitor and enforce medical contracts to improve access and quality of care for these children. Key provisions include specific standards from the American Academy of Pediatrics and enhanced oversight of medical contracts for children under state care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill focuses on improving healthcare quality for children/youth, directly advancing patient access and service standards per support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 280: An Act providing for insurance coverage for vision screening for children

By Representative Plouffe of Brockton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 280) of Bridget Plouffe for legislation to provide insurance coverage for vision screening for children. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for children's vision screening, expanding preventive healthcare access and aligning with healthcare funding/support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 2537: An Act relative to primary care access

HD 3463 establishes a Primary Care Board to study and improve primary care access in Massachusetts. The board, composed of health care providers, insurers, community representatives, and advocacy groups, will develop recommendations for payment models (including an all-payer primary care capitation system), data reporting standards, and workforce strategies. It requires health care providers and payers to submit primary care spending data, which will be published on a public dashboard for transparency. The bill directly affects primary care providers, health insurance plans, and the state’s approach to funding primary care services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly addresses primary care access under Public Health, directly advancing patient access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 22, 2026

H 1416: An Act to advance health equity

This bill (HD 3226) creates a new "Secretary of Equity" position within state government and adds "health equity" as a core requirement across health-related laws. It defines "priority populations" as groups disproportionately affected by health disparities and mandates that health agencies incorporate health equity into all decisions, including requiring a "chief health equity officer" (Section 8). The bill also establishes new reporting requirements for health care spending trends, including data on health inequities (Section 17), and sets aggregate expenditure targets for primary care and behavioral health services (Section 9A). It directly affects state health agencies, healthcare providers, and priority populations by requiring systemic changes to address health disparities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes executive office for health equity and investigates inequities, directly advancing healthcare access and reducing disparities per title and summary.92% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 1354: An Act to address the financial sustainability of the Health Safety Net

By Representative Cahill of Lynn, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1354) of Daniel Cahill relative to financing the Health Safety Net Trust Fund. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly finances Health Safety Net Trust Fund, directly funding an essential public health program through budgetary means.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly addresses financing the Health Safety Net Trust Fund, directly funding public health infrastructure to ensure financial sustainability of healthcare services for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 5, 2026

H 2401: An Act providing for safe and consensual sensitive examinations

This bill requires healthcare providers to obtain written consent for sensitive examinations (like pelvic or prostate exams) on unconscious or heavily sedated patients, except in emergencies. It guarantees patients the right to request a medical chaperone during such exams, with healthcare organizations encouraged to provide a chaperone matching the patient’s gender identity. Providers must inform patients about this right before exams and use standardized consent forms that explicitly mention the chaperone option. The law applies to all healthcare organizations and providers performing sensitive exams, aiming to ensure patient autonomy and safety during these procedures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates safe, consensual examinations under Public Health, protecting patient rights and aligning with healthcare safety standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 11, 2026

H 4686: An Act relative to Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome

H 4686 proposes establishing a commission to research topical steroid addiction and Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome (TSWS), a condition that can occur after discontinuing long-term use of topical steroid creams or ointments. The commission would examine the health impacts, causes, and challenges associated with these conditions, particularly for individuals who have used topical steroids for skin conditions. This research aims to inform future public health policies and support for affected individuals. The bill is sponsored by Representative Frank A. Moran and falls under the Public Health category.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates commission to research TSWS health impacts, aiming to inform future public health policies and support for affected individuals, advancing healthcare understanding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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