Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 7, 2026

H 1367: An Act regarding Title XIX reimbursements for state colleges and universities

This bill directs Massachusetts' health and human services office to form a working group to study whether state colleges and universities can claim federal Medicaid (Title XIX) reimbursement for health services provided to students enrolled in MassHealth. It specifically examines feasibility for students of all ages, including those with disabilities, under- and over-22-year-olds, and those eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare. The group must report by April 2025 with financial estimates, challenges, opportunities, and a potential workplan for pursuing this funding. The bill does not change current policy but requires a study to determine if additional revenue could be secured.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSecures federal Title XIX reimbursements for MassHealth-covered health services at state colleges, expanding student healthcare access through funding.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 214: An Act alleviating the burden of medical debt for patients and families

By Mr. Cronin, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 214) of John J. Cronin relative to alleviating the burden of medical debt for patients and families. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly targets medical debt relief, improving patient access and financial burden - directly aligning with healthcare support indicators like patient access and financial protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 3196: An Act to reform the healthcare cost benchmark

HD 955 updates Massachusetts' healthcare cost growth benchmark by replacing the current method with the state's historical economic growth rate over the past decade. Starting in 2023, the benchmark will be set using the average annual growth rate of the state's economy (measured over the most recent ten years), as calculated by the state's finance secretary. This requires the secretary to publicly report the methodology and results to legislative committees and the health policy commission. The change directly affects healthcare providers, insurers, and the health policy commission, which must now use this new economic benchmark to regulate healthcare cost growth.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill reforms healthcare cost benchmark, addressing cost issues to improve system efficiency and accessibility, aligning with support for healthcare affordability.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 18, 2025

H 1092: An Act to ensure affordable prescription medications through accountability standards

By Representative Barber of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1092) of Christine P. Barber and others relative to prescription medications. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill targets affordable prescription medications via accountability standards, directly advancing patient access to essential healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 18, 2025

H 1274: An Act prohibiting PBMs from discriminating against hospitals and patients participating in the 340B drug discount program

HD 1119 prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from discriminating against hospitals and patients participating in the federal 340B drug discount program. The bill specifically bans PBMs from reimbursing 340B hospitals at lower rates than non-340B hospitals, charging extra fees for 340B participation, restricting network access based on 340B status, or requiring special identification for 340B drugs (except for Medicaid claims). It also prevents PBMs from steering patients away from 340B providers or imposing higher costs like extra copays for drugs obtained through these hospitals. This state-level bill directly affects 340B-covered hospitals (including community health centers and safety-net providers) and their patients by ensuring equitable access to discounted medications.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits PBMs from discriminating against 340B program participants, protecting hospital and patient access to discounted drugs, a key healthcare access measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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signed · Massachusetts · House Sep 22, 2025

H 4530: An Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

This bill appropriates $122 million for fiscal year 2025 to support financially struggling hospitals in Massachusetts. It directly affects eligible private acute care hospitals meeting specific criteria, including high public payer mix (63-68%), negative operating margins, and low relative pricing, as defined by the Center for Health Information and Analysis. Funds are distributed through targeted categories: $20 million for hospitals with >68% public payers, $41 million for others meeting slightly lower thresholds, and additional sums for public hospitals and community health centers. Payments cannot replace existing Medicaid or state funding, and hospitals must report how they use the funds. The bill is now law (Chapter 33 of the Acts of 2025).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $122M in state funds for hospital support, directly increasing budgetary spending on essential healthcare services per fiscal year 2025 needs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $122M to financially struggling hospitals with high public payer mix, directly strengthening healthcare infrastructure and access through targeted funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 1323: An Act relative to insurance coverage for individuals with autism

HD 1016 requires all health insurance policies issued in Massachusetts to cover dependent individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), regardless of age. This applies to group health plans, hospital service agreements, medical service agreements, and health maintenance contracts delivered in the state. The bill amends insurance laws to explicitly include ASD as a qualifying condition for dependent coverage, removing age limits that previously restricted coverage for autistic children. It directly affects families with autistic dependents who rely on employer or individual health insurance policies in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for autism, expanding healthcare access for affected individuals under public health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 4, 2025

H 4550: An Act relative to modern family building

H 4550 requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover fertility diagnostic care and treatments for individuals diagnosed with infertility, without restrictions based on age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or family status. The bill mandates coverage for up to four oocyte retrievals, unlimited embryo transfers, and unlimited intrauterine insemination cycles, while explicitly excluding non-medical costs like donor gametes or surrogacy. It also requires healthcare providers to complete training on LGBTQ+ family-building resources and eliminates discriminatory coverage limitations for infertility services. This applies to both group insurance plans (including for state employees) and medical assistance programs, as detailed in Sections 2 and 4 of the bill.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for fertility treatments without discrimination, expanding access to reproductive healthcare services and protecting patient rights under healthcare coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

H 2210: An Act to provide more timely treatment of inpatient mental health care

HD 2431 amends Massachusetts mental health care laws to improve timeliness for inpatients. It requires hospitals to develop evening/night coverage plans consistent with physician resources and national standards. The bill shortens key timelines: independent medical exams must be completed within 3 business days of request (down from unspecified), and mental health facility hearings must occur within 7 days of petition filing (down from 14 days). It also creates a new facilitated process for approving antipsychotic medications for children in foster care hospitalized in psychiatric facilities, administered by the Department of Children and Families and the Child Advocate. These changes directly affect inpatient mental health facilities, patients seeking treatment, and children in state custody receiving psychiatric care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to improve timely inpatient mental health care access, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 23, 2026

S 262: An Act to protect life-saving electronic health records from reckless corporate greed and corruption

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 262) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to protect life-saving electronic health records from reckless corporate greed and corruption. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly protects life-saving electronic health records from corporate corruption, aligning with protecting patient data integrity in healthcare services.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects electronic health records from corporate misuse, aligning with data privacy protections under technology policy80% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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