Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 1297: An Act relative to colon screenings

This bill requires Massachusetts health insurance plans to cover colorectal cancer screenings at no out-of-pocket cost for individuals aged 50 and older, when deemed medically necessary by a primary care physician. It applies to Commonwealth employee health plans, private accident/sickness insurance, hospital service plans, and health maintenance organizations. The law mandates coverage for specific screening methods including colonoscopy (every 5-10 years), flexible sigmoidoscopy, FIT tests, and CT colonography, without requiring copays, deductibles, or additional fees for related services like lab work or physician visits. This policy change removes financial barriers to preventive care for a common cancer, affecting all insured residents in Massachusetts under these coverage types.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill eliminates cost-sharing for colon screenings, improving patient access to preventive healthcare services.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 8, 2026

H 1277: An Act relative to dual diagnosis treatment coverage

This bill amends Massachusetts law to require health insurers and coverage plans to cover three specific addiction and mental health treatment services without preauthorization: acute treatment (24-hour medically supervised addiction care), clinical stabilization (post-detox recovery support), and co-occurring treatment (inpatient psychiatric care for dual diagnosis). It applies to Commonwealth employees' insurance (Chapter 32A), Medicaid plans (Chapter 118E), and all "creditable coverage" health insurance policies (Chapter 175). Coverage is limited to 14 days for clinical stabilization and co-occurring services, with facilities required to notify insurers within 48 hours of admission and allow utilization review starting on day 7. Medical necessity is determined by the treating clinician, not insurers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates coverage for dual diagnosis treatment, expanding mental health services access90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 1216: An Act relative to insurance coverage of hearing aids

HD 2560 requires most health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover hearing aids and related services. It directly affects Commonwealth employees and retirees, their children under 26 (or with disabilities), Medicaid beneficiaries, and all insured individuals under group or individual health plans. The bill mandates coverage for hearing aid exams, fittings, adjustments, and supplies (like ear molds) without requiring a prescription for those 18 or older, and prohibits stricter cost-sharing than other health benefits. This applies to group insurance, Medicaid, accident/sickness policies, and hospital service plans, ensuring consistent access to hearing aid coverage across multiple insurance types.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for hearing aids, expanding access to a medical device under healthcare services per title/summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 28, 2026

H 1295: An Act promoting consumer choice in health care

This bill requires health insurers to reimburse licensed athletic trainers (with a physician referral) for covered services within their scope of practice, on the same basis as other providers. It ensures athletic trainers cannot be denied coverage for services that the insurer already covers for other healthcare professionals. Insurers may still apply standard cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays) and utilization reviews, but these cannot be more restrictive for athletic trainer services than for comparable services from other providers. The law directly affects health insurers and licensed athletic trainers, expanding patient access to athletic training services without altering coverage for specific medical conditions or limited benefit plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance reimbursement for athletic trainers, expanding covered services and patient access to care under healthcare coverage.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1388: An Act building resilience and increasing access to mental health services

This bill establishes a mental health capacity grant program within the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. It provides funding to nonprofit organizations at high risk of hate crimes or serving populations targeted by hate crimes (as defined in state law), to improve staff mental health competencies and expand supportive programming. Grants can support specific activities like mental health first aid training, culturally responsive referrals, and community education to reduce stigma. The program requires geographically equitable grant distribution based on hate crime data and mandates a detailed report to legislative committees within six months of the first grant.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly increases access to mental health services, directly aligning with support indicators for healthcare funding and patient access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2377: An Act to improve patient access to prescription medication

This bill amends Massachusetts law to expand when healthcare providers can dispense prescription medications directly to patients. It allows registered practitioners to dispense non-controlled medications and medications classified as Schedule VI through V (with safety rules), without requiring patients to go to a pharmacy first. Providers must inform patients they can also buy the medication elsewhere, and the change doesn't affect Schedule I drugs or emergency care. The law specifically targets direct dispensing by providers, not pharmacy access.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to improve patient access to prescription medication, directly aligning with healthcare access indicators in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 1374: An Act establishing a state-wide drug repository program

This bill establishes a state-wide program to collect and redistribute unused, unopened, tamper-evident medicines from authorized donors (like pharmacies, hospitals, and manufacturers) to eligible patients who are indigent, uninsured, underinsured, or enrolled in public health programs. Donated medicines must be in unopened packaging (with limited exceptions for certain orally administered cancer medicines), not controlled substances, and meet safety standards like proper storage and labeling. Recipients must verify donor eligibility and maintain minimal records but can store donated medicine separately, repackage it as needed, and administer it to eligible patients with proper documentation. The program aims to reduce medicine waste while expanding access to affordable medications for vulnerable populations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishing a state drug repository under Health Care Financing supports medication access and resource management, aligning with healthcare strengthening indicators.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 1381: An Act relative to stabilizing the Commonwealth’s nursing facilities

This bill adjusts how Massachusetts Medicaid pays nursing homes to stabilize funding. It requires annual inflation adjustments using the Medicare Market Basket Update, sets base costs to the most recent two-year period, and mandates a 10% above-average Nursing Cost Per Diem. Facilities serving 75%+ Medicaid residents receive a minimum 5% rate increase. Additionally, it preserves capital funding rates for facility upgrades completed after 2020. These changes directly affect nursing homes receiving Medicaid payments, aiming to better cover rising labor and care costs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill targets stabilizing nursing facility inflationary costs under Health Care Financing, preventing service disruptions and supporting healthcare access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 20, 2026

H 1414: An Act to update medicaid resource limits for seniors

This bill updates Medicaid eligibility rules for seniors in Massachusetts by raising income and resource limits. It sets the monthly income limit at 138% of the federal poverty level (updated yearly) and excludes life insurance cash surrender values from resource calculations. Seniors applying for Medicaid will now qualify if their resources stay under $10,000 individually or $20,000 for couples, with these amounts adjusted annually for inflation using the Consumer Price Index. These changes aim to make Medicaid more accessible for older adults with modest savings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates Medicaid resource limits for seniors, likely expanding eligibility and access to healthcare coverage under a key public health program.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 16, 2026

H 1371: An Act to support equal access to community care for elders and persons with disabilities

HD 1507 amends Massachusetts Medicaid rules to reduce out-of-pocket costs for elders and people with disabilities receiving community-based care. It changes the payment calculation for individuals with income above exemptions, lowering the amount they must pay to providers when enrolled in specific federal programs like PACE or home-based waiver programs under federal law. Instead of paying the full income excess, they pay the excess minus a defined income threshold (300% of federal benefit rate). This exception does not apply to individuals in the "special income eligibility group" under federal Medicaid rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid eligibility for elders/disabled, directly increasing access to community care under Health Care Financing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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