Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 2599: An Act providing insurance coverage for the medically necessary treatment of port-wine stains

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2599) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to provide insurance coverage for the medically necessary treatment of port-wine stains. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for medically necessary port-wine stain treatment, expanding patient access to healthcare services95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 803: An Act ensuring access to executive physical exams

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 803) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to ensure access to annual executive physical exams to any active or retired employee of the commonwealth insured under the group insurance commission. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures access to annual executive physical exams for employees, directly improving preventive healthcare access under group insurance coverage.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 1080: An Act relative to copay assistance

This bill prevents health insurance plans from dropping coverage for a branded drug solely because an FDA-approved generic equivalent is available. Insurers must wait at least three months after the generic becomes accessible in Massachusetts before discontinuing the branded drug. The Department of Public Health determines when the generic is "available" by checking pharmacy stock, supply levels, and patient access barriers. It directly affects patients prescribed branded drugs and insurers offering coverage within Massachusetts. The law ensures continuity of care during the transition period to generic alternatives.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides copay assistance for branded drugs, reducing patient out-of-pocket costs and improving medication access.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2469: An Act relative to the closing of hospital essential services

This bill requires hospitals in Massachusetts to give at least one year's notice before closing or discontinuing essential health services. Hospitals must notify patients, staff, unions, local officials, and state departments 30 days prior to submitting closure plans, and provide detailed community engagement plans. The state department must review closures to ensure continued access, requiring hospitals to create a community oversight committee (with patient, staff, and municipal representatives) if services are discontinued. Hospitals that skip these steps face legal action to maintain services and lose eligibility for new hospital licenses for three years.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill proposes discontinuing essential hospital services, directly restricting patient access to critical healthcare services as indicated by 'closing' and 'discontinuance' in title/summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 6, 2026

S 681: An Act relative to trans-inclusive health care access

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 681) of Joanne M. Comerford, Jason M. Lewis, James B. Eldridge, Julian Cyr and others for legislation relative to trans-inclusive health care access. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly mandates trans-inclusive health care access, expanding patient access for transgender individuals and protecting their rights under healthcare services.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 5, 2026

H 1141: An Act increasing access to acute hospital at home services

HD 3388 requires all health insurance policies in Massachusetts - including those covering Commonwealth employees, individual/group accident/sickness plans, health maintenance contracts, and preferred provider agreements - to reimburse hospital-at-home services equally to in-person hospital care. It specifically applies to acute care hospitals participating in the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Acute Hospital Care at Home Program. The bill mandates that insurers cover these services at the same rate as traditional hospital visits, removing financial barriers for patients seeking this alternative care. This directly affects insured residents and Commonwealth employees, ensuring parity in coverage for a specific type of home-based medical treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands insurance coverage for acute hospital-at-home services, improving patient access to care per summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 28, 2026

H 3946: An Act relative to health insurance coverage for hearing aids

HD 3015, "An Act relative to health insurance coverage for hearing aids," requires Massachusetts health insurance plans to cover hearing aids for insured residents with hearing loss. The bill mandates coverage for one hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear every 36 months, based on a physician's written statement, with earlier coverage allowed if hearing changes. It includes the hearing aid deemed best by the patient and audiologist (regardless of brand), all related services (evaluation, fitting, adjustments), supplies (ear molds, batteries), and repairs/replacements if the device fails. Insurance plans must limit copayments to $200 max, apply the same terms as other durable medical equipment, and cover both group and non-group policies. This directly affects Massachusetts residents with hearing loss who have health insurance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires health insurance coverage for hearing aids, expanding access to a critical medical device and strengthening patient care options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 14, 2025

H 1692: An Act improving medical decision making

This bill establishes clear rules for who can make medical decisions on behalf of a person who cannot make their own choices (an "incapacitated person"). It creates a priority list for surrogate decision makers (spouse, adult children, parents, siblings, then others) and requires them to provide a written declaration under penalty of perjury. The bill specifies criteria for selecting the best surrogate based on their relationship, knowledge of the person's values, and availability, while banning certain individuals (like treating staff) from serving. It applies when advance directives or medical orders are missing, invalid, or not applicable, and limits surrogate authority to 90 days or the current treatment episode.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses healthcare decisions during incapacity, protecting patient rights and improving medical decision-making processes per title and summary.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 5, 2026

H 1096: An Act relative to rate equity for community health centers

This bill requires Massachusetts health insurers, health plans, and other entities reimbursing community health centers to pay for Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) services at rates equivalent to what those centers would receive from MassHealth (the state's Medicaid program). It directly affects FQHCs serving Medicaid patients and the health plans/insurers that cover their services. The key mechanism mandates that reimbursement rates must align with federal Medicaid payment methodologies (42 U.S.C. §1396a(bb) and §1396b(m)(2)(A)(ix)) as of January 1, 2025, and requires annual reporting to ensure compliance. The bill aims to ensure FQHCs receive fair reimbursement without changing existing Medicaid payment structures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures equitable reimbursement rates for community health centers, preventing underfunding and supporting continued access to care for underserved populations.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1721: An Act for informed consent In public health

HD 578 establishes a new law in Massachusetts guaranteeing individuals the right to make informed choices about medical treatments, tests, procedures, and health information sharing without discrimination, coercion, or retaliation. It applies to all public entities (like government agencies and public facilities) and private entities providing services in public accommodations, education, employment, or healthcare. The law prohibits forcing medical interventions or penalizing people for refusing them, with exceptions only if an individual poses a direct threat to others after a strict, individualized assessment based on medical evidence. Violations allow individuals to sue for minimum $5,000 in compensatory damages per incident, injunctions, and attorney fees, with entities required to correct violations within 10 days of written notice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates informed consent in public health, protecting patient rights per healthcare support indicators without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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