Healthcare (Public Health)

passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 4, 2025

H 2432: An Act to reduce incidence and death from pancreatic cancer

HD 245 creates a state-wide pancreatic cancer initiative administered by the Department of Public Health. It establishes a 13-member pancreatic cancer advisory council (including patient advocates and representatives from cancer networks) to develop hospital certification standards, identify underserved areas for improved care access, create a multi-provider consortium for best practices, and develop a standard tissue consent form for research. The bill also mandates a comprehensive study on pancreatic cancer prevalence and patient needs, plus a public education program about genetic risks and symptoms. Additionally, it requires the insurance commissioner to survey genetic testing coverage and the health center to update pancreatic cancer screening benefit reviews by 2026. This bill directly affects pancreatic cancer patients, healthcare providers, and the state's public health infrastructure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directly targets reducing pancreatic cancer deaths through public health initiatives, advancing healthcare outcomes without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Aug 14, 2025

SD 2964: An Act relative to safer treatment of acupuncture

By Mr. Collins, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Nick Collins for legislation relative to the safer treatment of acupuncture. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes safety standards for acupuncture treatment under Public Health, directly enhancing patient safety in healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1511: An Act regulating surgical assistants

By Mr. Driscoll, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1511) of William J. Driscoll, Jr. relative to regulating surgical assistants. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulating surgical assistants under Public Health strengthens healthcare service standards and professional oversight, aligning with support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1535: An Act relative to safe patient handling and mobility in certain health facilities

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1535) of Paul R. Feeney, Susannah M. Whipps, Thomas M. Stanley, Vanna Howard and other members of the General Court for legislation to ensure safe patient handling and mobility in certain health facilities through the use of mechanical lifting devices. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates mechanical lifting devices in health facilities to prevent patient/staff injuries, directly enhancing safety standards in healthcare delivery.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2487: An Act relative to dental service quotes

HD 3362 requires dental providers (including dentists, hygienists, and assistants) to provide patients with a written cost estimate before performing any dental services, unless the patient waives this for a series of planned treatments. Patients who receive services without a quote can file a complaint with the Board of Registration in Dentistry. The Board must then investigate whether the services were medically necessary, and if not, report the violation to the Attorney General within three months. This bill directly affects dental offices and patients by increasing transparency around treatment costs and establishing a process for addressing billing disputes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires dental service quotes to improve patient cost transparency, enhancing access to dental care services under Public Health.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1554: An Act to reduce lung cancer deaths

By Mr. Keenan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1554) of John F. Keenan and James B. Eldridge for legislation to provide counseling about lung cancer screening to individuals accessing the Massachusetts Quitline. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides lung cancer screening counseling via Massachusetts Quitline, enhancing preventive healthcare access and public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 2440: An Act protecting children from harmful diet pills and muscle-building supplements

This bill prohibits the sale of over-the-counter diet pills and muscle-building supplements to anyone under 18 years old. It requires retail stores to store these products securely (behind counters or locked cases) and verify age with ID for customers who appear underage. For online retailers, it mandates age verification through government ID checks, database validation, and requiring an adult signature for delivery. Violations can result in a $1,000 civil penalty per offense. The law directly affects minors, retail stores, and online sellers of these products.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill targets public health risk by restricting harmful supplements for children, aligning with healthcare protection measures under public health initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 20, 2025

H 2550: An Act relative to culturally competent and effective health care

HD 2884 requires the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine to collect voluntary demographic and practice data from physicians applying for or renewing licenses starting January 1, 2027. Physicians must provide information on race, ethnicity, gender identity, language skills, specialty, practice locations, and employment status, though this data will not affect licensure decisions. The collected information will be aggregated, de-identified, and made publicly available annually by the Center for Health Information and Analysis to assess how physician diversity impacts health outcomes. The Center must also report this data to the legislature and public health officials each year, with strict rules preventing the sale of the data to third parties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates collection of physician workforce data to improve cultural competence in healthcare services, advancing equitable patient care under Public Health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 23, 2025

HD 5271: An Act to promote transparency surrounding colonoscopy procedures

By Representative Tarsky of Needham (by request), a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Gregory Dunn relative to colonoscopy procedures. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePromotes transparency in colonoscopy procedures, improving patient information access under Public Health category.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 27, 2025

H 2439: An Act relative to clinical laboratory testing

HD 924 requires clinical laboratories to obtain written consent from the person who provided a specimen before conducting tests. It also mandates that laboratories performing any test must routinely participate in CMS-approved proficiency testing programs for that specific test, unless no such program is available. This bill directly affects patients (who provide specimens), healthcare providers ordering tests, and clinical laboratories. The key changes are the new consent requirement and the proficiency testing mandate for all test types, aiming to improve testing accuracy and patient rights.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses clinical laboratory testing under Public Health, supporting healthcare infrastructure standards without explicit funding or restriction.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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