Healthcare

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1157: An Act relative to pharmacy benefit managers

This bill regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to improve transparency and fairness in drug pricing. It requires PBMs to: (1) pay pharmacies promptly for "clean claims" (complete, error-free claims) without retroactively reducing payments; (2) cap patient cost-sharing (copays, deductibles) at the pharmacy’s contracted price; and (3) maintain transparent, frequently updated maximum allowable cost lists for generic drugs, allowing pharmacies to challenge unfair pricing. The bill directly affects PBMs, community pharmacies (excluding mail-order from network calculations), and patients who pay for prescriptions. Key provisions aim to prevent unexpected payment cuts and ensure fair reimbursement based on actual drug costs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates PBMs to cap patient costs and ensure transparent pricing, improving access and fairness in drug coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House Mar 17, 2025

HD 4494: A communication from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (see item 5046-0000 of Section 2 of Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024) submitting the Department of Mental Health’s Enhanced Outpatient Treatment Pilot for fiscal year 2024

This bill is a procedural communication submitting Massachusetts' Department of Mental Health's Enhanced Outpatient Treatment (EOT) Pilot Program for fiscal year 2024. It does not change laws but formally presents the program's details to the legislature for review. The pilot provides intensive outpatient mental health services to individuals at risk of hospitalization, directly affecting people with severe mental illness who qualify for the program. The submission includes data on recent referrals, noting 31.3% came from police or health hubs, but the bill itself only requests legislative acknowledgment of the program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSubmits mental health pilot program for legislative review, expanding outpatient services to prevent hospitalizations for severe mental illness, directly supporting mental health care access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 892: An Act to alleviate skyrocketing consumer health care costs

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 892) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to alleviate skyrocketing consumer health care costs. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to reduce rising consumer healthcare costs, directly improving affordability and access to care.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House May 22, 2025

H 1357: An Act relative to insurer responsibility to the operating budgets of health care oversight entities

This bill requires healthcare entities - including hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and pharmacy benefit managers - to pay a surcharge toward funding two oversight bodies: the Health Policy Commission and the Center for Health Information and Analysis. The surcharge must be 30% to 40% of the state’s annual budget for these entities, minus revenues already collected from fees or federal funds. It specifies that payments must follow existing financial transfer rules (sections 64 and 66 of Chapter 118E) and cannot fall below established revenue thresholds. The bill directly affects covered healthcare providers and insurers by adding a new cost to their operating expenses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to fund healthcare oversight entities, strengthening regulatory oversight and ensuring financial stability of oversight bodies under Health Care Financing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 20, 2026

H 1408: An Act making technical changes to the Betsy Lehman Center for patient safety and medical error reduction enabling statute

This bill amends the statute governing the Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety and Medical Error Reduction (now formally named as such). It clarifies the Center's core duties: coordinating state agencies and health care providers to develop a statewide patient safety strategy, analyzing safety data, and sharing best practices. The bill also adds authority for the Center to establish a trust fund to manage federal and foundation grants supporting its work. This directly affects the Center, state health agencies, and licensed health care providers by defining how they collaborate on safety initiatives and access grant funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill updates Betsy Lehman Center statute to enhance patient safety and medical error reduction, strengthening healthcare quality framework.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2431: An Act prohibiting the requirement of a COVID-19 vaccine, mRNA vaccine, or gene-altering procedure

HD 635 prohibits requiring proof of COVID-19, mRNA, or gene-altering procedure vaccination for entry to public spaces, schools, or businesses. It directly affects the Commonwealth government, all public agencies, schools (including colleges), and private businesses by banning them from demanding such proof for entry, enrollment, campus access, or employment. Key provisions block vaccination requirements in public buildings, educational institutions, and private businesses, while also prohibiting places of public accommodation from requiring proof of vaccination for entry. The bill applies broadly across state law to prevent any entity from mandating vaccination proof as a condition of access or participation.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareProhibits vaccine mandates, restricting public health measures requiring immunizations under healthcare policy, directly limiting a standard public health intervention.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 863: An Act relative to non-opioid options for chronic pain

By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 863) of Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation relative to coverage for non-opioid pain medications for chronic pain. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for non-opioid chronic pain medications, expanding patient access to alternatives and reducing opioid reliance under health financing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1479: An Act to clarify prescription monitoring program activities

By Mr. Brownsberger, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1479) of William N. Brownsberger and Julian Cyr for legislation to clarify prescription monitoring program activities. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies prescription monitoring program to prevent misuse, strengthening public health initiatives within healthcare policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1615: An Act to improve health care coordination and safe discharge

By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1615) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation to improve patient health care coordination and provide a clear discharge plan. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly improves healthcare coordination and safe discharge planning, directly advancing patient care continuity and reducing preventable errors per Public Health focus.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1637: An Act wiring medical facilities, nursing homes, and medical training to support safer electromagnetic radiation exposures and to support reduction of other environmental hazards

By Mr. Velis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1637) of Kirstin Beatty, for legislation to require medical facilities and nursing homes to support safer electromagnetic radiation exposures and to support reduction of other environmental hazards through facility wiring and training. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates safer electromagnetic radiation standards in medical facilities/nursing homes, directly enhancing healthcare environment safety and public health protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track