Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 1597: An Act relative to a healthier, stronger Massachusetts

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1597) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative to a healthier, stronger Massachusetts in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directly addresses public health initiatives post-pandemic to create a 'healthier, stronger Massachusetts,' aligning with healthcare advancement and protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Aug 20, 2026

S 1493: An Act for improving patient outcomes across the continuum

By Mr. Cronin, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1493) of John J. Cronin for legislation to improve patient outcomes across the continuum. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to improve patient outcomes, directly strengthening healthcare services and public health initiatives without restrictions or defunding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Aug 20, 2026

S 1613: An Act to increase access to health transportation

By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1613) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation to provide access to health transportation for vulnerable patients. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides health transportation access for vulnerable patients, directly improving healthcare access - a key support indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 881: An Act providing Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation programs

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 881) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to provide Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly adds Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation programs, expanding public health access and funding for preventive healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 917: An Act to address the financial sustainability of the Health Safety Net

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 917) of John C. Velis for legislation to address the financial sustainability of the Health Safety Net. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly addresses financial sustainability of Health Safety Net, indicating funding and protection of healthcare services and programs.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2405: An Act to ensure safe medication administration

HD 1840 restricts who can administer controlled substances (Schedules II-VI) to only licensed healthcare professionals like doctors, nurses, dentists, or veterinarians, or their supervised students. This directly affects healthcare providers and patients needing such medications, ensuring only qualified individuals handle these drugs. The bill includes key exceptions: patients may self-administer or supervise others if they understand their medication, emergency medical personnel can administer in crises, and family members or partners may assist in emergencies. It also specifically allows epinephrine pens to be used in emergencies without restriction.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures safe medication administration, directly protecting patient safety in healthcare delivery under Public Health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1382: An Act establishing a board of registration of licensed mental health counselors

By Mr. Brady, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1382) of Michael D. Brady and Kenneth P. Sweezey for legislation to establish a board of registration of licensed mental health counselors. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes board to regulate mental health counselors, ensuring professional standards and access to mental health services under designated policy area.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 4341: An Act requiring reimbursement for the costs of providing competent interpreter services

This bill requires health insurers, managed care organizations, and government health programs to separately reimburse licensed facilities for the costs of providing competent interpreters (for both sign language and spoken languages). It directly affects hospitals, clinics, and other facilities licensed under specific Massachusetts laws that serve patients with limited English proficiency or hearing disabilities. The key provision mandates that these entities recognize and pay for interpreter services as a distinct cost, rather than bundling them into other fees. This policy change ensures facilities aren't financially burdened for providing essential language access services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates reimbursement for interpreter services to improve access for patients with limited English proficiency or hearing disabilities, directly advancing equitable healthcare access and patient rights.95% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 4346: An Act to ensure access to prescription medications

H 4346 requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and insurers to follow specific rules for setting maximum allowable costs (MACs) for prescription drugs. Drugs must have available therapeutic equivalents to be listed on MACs, and PBMs must remove them if they no longer meet criteria within 3 business days. The bill mandates transparency by requiring PBMs to share MAC sources, costs, and lists with pharmacies, and creates an appeal process for pharmacies to challenge low MACs, with retroactive payment adjustments if appeals succeed. It also prohibits retroactive discounts and requires MassHealth to reimburse pharmacies at the rate specified in the state’s pharmacy provider manual.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates transparency and appeal processes for drug pricing to prevent access barriers, directly improving patient access to medications through PBM/insurer regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 4, 2025

H 4337: An Act regarding cervical cancer and women's preventative health

This bill (H 4337) requires most health insurance plans sold in Massachusetts to cover cervical cancer screenings - specifically Pap tests and HPV tests - with no out-of-pocket costs for patients. It directly affects women who receive these preventative screenings through employer-sponsored insurance, individual plans, or health maintenance organizations. The key provision mandates that all applicable policies must eliminate cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles) for these screenings. This applies to hospital service plans, health maintenance contracts, and group health funds delivered or renewed in Massachusetts. The bill focuses solely on ensuring coverage for preventative care, not treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no cost-sharing for cervical cancer screenings, expanding access to preventative care without financial barriers for patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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