Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 791: An Act relative to nature as a prescription

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 791) of Liz Miranda and Mindy Domb for legislation relative to nature as a prescription for mental health services. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly proposes nature-based prescriptions for mental health services, directly supporting mental health care access and treatment options per its title and summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 1205: An Act establishing a commission to study the promotion of preferred pharmacy networks

HD 2249 establishes a commission to study how health insurers use "preferred pharmacy networks" to steer patients toward lower-cost pharmacies where insurers negotiate better drug prices. The commission, composed of legislative leaders, health officials, and policy experts, will analyze the feasibility and cost-benefit of implementing such networks and estimate potential prescription drug savings. It must submit a report with recommendations and draft legislation to relevant committees within 12 months of the bill's passage. This bill does not change current law but creates a formal process to evaluate a specific cost-saving approach used by insurers. The direct effect is on insurers, pharmacies, and the state's health policy decision-makers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes commission to study insurer negotiations for lower drug prices, aiming to reduce costs and improve access - directly supporting healthcare affordability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 1132: An Act relative to external reviews and patient protection

HD 3046 requires external medical reviews for denied treatments to be conducted by a Massachusetts-licensed physician certified in the relevant specialty. This physician must identify themselves to the patient, provide a detailed written report with peer-reviewed citations, conduct physical exams when needed, and carry malpractice insurance. The bill also allows patients to appeal denied reviews in superior court and, if successful, recover all attorney fees and costs from the health plan. It directly affects patients challenging insurance denials for medical care. These changes aim to increase transparency and accountability in the external review process.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly addresses 'patient protection' in title and summary, aligning with indicators to strengthen patient rights and safety in healthcare services.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 4181: An Act ensuring pharmacy access

By Representative Garry of Dracut, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Colleen M. Garry relative to the rights of pharmacists to participate as preferred health care providers. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures pharmacists can serve as preferred healthcare providers, directly improving patient access to pharmacy services and expanding healthcare provider options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 12, 2026

S 1389: An Act modernizing the 6 fundamental rights

SD 1146, titled "An Act modernizing the 6 fundamental rights," establishes specific rights for individuals receiving mental health services in facilities operated by, licensed by, or contracting with Massachusetts' Department of Mental Health (including state hospitals and community centers). The bill guarantees rights such as confidential phone calls with reasonable device access, unopened mail, choosing private visitors, gender-affirming living environments with culturally relevant care items, and access to legal advocates or healthcare providers at any reasonable time. Facilities must provide reasonable assistance for these rights and face $100 fines for repeated violations after warnings. This bill directly affects all patients in these mental health settings, focusing on concrete policy changes to protect their autonomy and dignity.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly targets mental health and substance use recovery services in its summary, aligning with 'supports mental health services' indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 793: An Act to save lives by preventing unscrupulous medical referral restrictions by profit-driven health care networks

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 793) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to save lives by preventing unscrupulous medical referral restrictions by profit-driven health care networks. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents profit-driven networks from restricting medical referrals, improving patient access to care.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 2227: An Act replacing archaic and stigmatizing language for substance use

This bill replaces stigmatizing terms like "substance abuse" and "alcohol abuse" with clinical terms like "substance use disorder" across 20+ Massachusetts statutes. It directly affects state laws, healthcare records, treatment programs, and law enforcement protocols by updating terminology in statutes related to treatment, prevention, and law enforcement training. Key provisions include changing phrases such as "substance abuse treatment" to "substance use disorder treatment" in healthcare, legal, and public health contexts. The bill makes no new policy or funding changes - only revises language to align with modern medical terminology used by healthcare providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates stigmatizing language in mental health/substance use policies, reducing barriers to care access and aligning with mental health service support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 763: An Act relative to telehealth and digital equity for patients

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 763) of Adam Gomez, Lindsay N. Sabadosa, Manny Cruz, Sal N. DiDomenico and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to telehealth and digital equity for patients. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands telehealth access and ensures digital equity, improving patient access to healthcare services per title and summary.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes digital equity for telehealth access, advancing technology accessibility and internet inclusion for patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2195: An Act to improve the quality of mental health services, and rights of patients, by providing for sufficient privacy

This bill requires Massachusetts mental health facilities to provide patients with a private space during intake, assessment, and treatment, ensuring only the patient, medical staff, and necessary security personnel can hear conversations. It prohibits waiving this privacy requirement except in documented emergencies, which must be recorded in medical files with specific justification. The law addresses current issues where patients have been treated in open settings without privacy, which can hinder honest communication, compromise treatment, and deter people from seeking care due to disclosure concerns. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will develop regulations to implement these requirements. The bill aims to strengthen patient confidentiality and improve mental health service quality by mandating private interactions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to improve mental health services quality and protect patient rights through privacy provisions, directly advancing healthcare access and patient protections in mental health care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 14, 2025

H 2045: An Act relative to health care proxies

HD 1767 amends Massachusetts law regarding health care proxies. It ensures that a health care proxy (a document naming someone to make medical decisions) remains valid after the person who created it (the principal) dies. Specifically, the proxy will not automatically end upon the principal's death but will stay effective for six months following their death. This change directly affects individuals who have established health care proxies and their designated agents.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes legal framework for healthcare proxies, protecting patient autonomy in medical decision-making per title and summary.90% confidence

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