Healthcare

in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 11, 2026

H 5091: An Act relative to health care quality for children and youth

H 5091 requires the state bureau providing medical services to children and youth in the care of the Department of Children and Families to follow MassHealth and Department of Public Health pediatric care standards. This includes ensuring access to mental health, physical health, preventative care, and health promotion services. The bill also mandates the bureau to monitor medical contracts to improve both access to care and the quality of services for these children. It directly affects children in state custody by establishing concrete health care standards and oversight mechanisms.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires pediatric care standards compliance, mandates access to mental/physical health services, and monitors contracts to improve care quality for children.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Mental Health Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 5089: An Act to close the achievement gap by addressing disparities in children's vision

This bill creates a Children's Vision and Eye Health Advisory Council within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to advise on vision programs and recommend improvements. It also establishes a statewide confidential registry where healthcare providers must report children's vision screening results and follow-up care, with strict privacy protections limiting data sharing to authorized healthcare providers, school nurses, and specific state agencies. The registry will track screening data to address vision disparities affecting students, particularly in underserved communities, and allow parents to correct errors or view access records. The law amends school health screening requirements to include this registry system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes vision programs and registry to address student health disparities affecting learning, directly advancing K-12 educational outcomes by closing achievement gaps through health intervention.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a registry and council to improve children's vision screening follow-up, enhancing health services for children's vision care.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates a confidential registry with strict privacy protections for health data, directly advancing data privacy (a technology topic) through mandated safeguards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

H 5021: An Act to expand the doula workforce

H 5021 creates the Maternal Health Justice Fund to expand the doula workforce in Massachusetts. The fund, managed by the Department of Public Health, will provide scholarships for doula certification (prioritizing historically marginalized groups, low-income individuals, and underserved areas), support community doula programs, and fund workforce development. It requires certification programs to teach clinical knowledge (like anatomy and labor support), health equity, anti-racism, trauma-informed care, and cultural competence. The bill directly affects pregnant individuals, birth parents, and doulas by increasing access to non-medical support during pregnancy and postpartum.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds doula certification and programs to expand maternal health services, targeting underserved communities, directly advancing healthcare access and equity.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds doula certification scholarships, workforce development, and prioritizes marginalized groups in employment, directly advancing labor/employment opportunities in maternal healthcare sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 5037: An Act relative to the sustainability of public health dental hygienists through adequate reimbursements

This bill (H 5037) changes reimbursement rules for public health dental hygienists in Massachusetts. It removes a restriction that previously prevented Medicaid from seeking payment from other insurers or third-party payors for dental services provided by these hygienists. The key provision allows Medicaid to pursue secondary payments from other insurers, aiming to improve funding stability for public health dental hygiene programs. This directly affects dental hygienists working in public health settings who rely on Medicaid reimbursement. The goal is to make their services more financially sustainable by expanding potential funding sources.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves Medicaid reimbursement restriction to secure secondary payments, stabilizing funding for public health dental hygiene programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 5020: An Act relative to unilateral contract changes

This bill prohibits health insurance carriers from including "termination without cause" clauses or unilateral changes to material contract terms (such as payment rates, service definitions, or quality policies) with healthcare providers. It requires carriers to provide written notice of any change at least 90 days before the provider must respond, and limits such changes to occur only after a contract's current term ends. The law specifically applies to state health insurance purchasing entities (like MassHealth) and their contracts with providers. It allows mutually agreed amendments but bans unilateral modifications except as required by law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from unilateral contract changes with providers, requiring 90-day notice and protecting payment/service terms, stabilizing healthcare delivery and provider access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects healthcare providers from unilateral contract changes by insurers, requiring 90-day notice and limiting changes to contract end, strengthening employment terms and financial stability for workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 19, 2026

H 5126: An Act relative to treatment, not incarceration

H 5126 would require courts to assess probationers for substance use disorders and order treatment instead of jail time for relapse. It mandates individualized treatment plans using licensed providers or evidence-based practices (like medication-assisted therapy), with courts reviewing provider reports on progress. Probationers who complete treatment but relapse may receive additional treatment rather than incarceration. The bill preserves courts' authority to use other probation sanctions for public safety while shifting focus from punishment to treatment for substance use issues.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReplaces incarceration with treatment for probationers, promoting rehabilitation over punishment in criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates substance use disorder treatment via licensed providers instead of incarceration, directly supporting mental health services and improving access to healthcare for probationers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Probation & Parole Substance Abuse

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 11, 2026

H 5092: An Act relative to type 1 diabetes informational materials for the parents and guardians of students

This bill requires Massachusetts schools to provide parents and guardians with educational materials about type 1 diabetes at two key enrollment points: when a child first enters elementary school and again when entering sixth grade. The materials, developed by the Department of Education in collaboration with health officials, must describe type 1 diabetes, its warning signs, screening processes, and treatment recommendations. Schools must make these resources available in writing starting January 1, 2027, to all families of enrolled students. The bill directly affects parents/guardians of students in public school districts, county offices, and charter schools across Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school-provided diabetes education materials to improve health awareness and management for students with type 1 diabetes, advancing public health education.90% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 5044: An Act relative to financial services contracts for dental benefits corporations

This bill amends Massachusetts laws governing dental insurance contracts to clarify which dental services must be covered and prevent insurers from requiring dentists to accept reduced fees for non-covered services. It defines "covered services" as dental care for which payment would be available under a plan (accounting for deductibles, annual limits, etc.) and prohibits dental insurance plans from mandating specific fees for services not classified as covered. The key provision ensures that dentists participating in insurance networks cannot be forced to provide services at a set fee unless those services are actually covered by the patient's plan. This directly affects dental insurance companies, participating dentists, and plan enrollees by aligning fee requirements with actual coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies dental coverage requirements and prohibits insurers from forcing dentists to accept reduced fees for non-covered services, ensuring patients access to covered care.90% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 15, 2026

H 5042: An Act protecting patients from surprise bills related to emergency ambulance service

This bill prevents patients from receiving surprise bills for emergency ambulance services. It requires insurance companies to pay ambulance providers directly for covered emergency transports, rather than billing patients, and sets payment rates based on municipal rates or federal Medicare rates if municipal rates don't exist. Uninsured patients are protected from charges exceeding Medicare's published rates, and ambulance providers cannot use wage garnishments or credit reporting to collect unpaid bills. The law applies to all emergency ambulance services covered under insurance policies, directly affecting patients, ambulance providers, and insurers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents surprise billing for emergency ambulances, protects patients from excessive costs, and ensures direct insurance payment - directly strengthens patient access to emergency healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicare

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 9, 2026

H 5062: An Act concerning equitable allocation of recovery proceeds for subrogation claims

H 5062 establishes rules for how health insurers and injured people split recovery money from third-party injury claims. It requires that insurers' reimbursement claims be limited to the proportion of medical benefits they paid relative to the injured person's total damages. If the settlement or judgment is less than the full damages, courts can reduce the insurer's claim after reviewing the case. The bill also creates a court process for resolving disputes over fair allocation of recovery funds, including attorney fees, when the injured person and insurer cannot agree. This directly affects injured individuals, health insurers, and hospitals that provided medical benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures insurers' subrogation claims align with medical benefits paid, protecting patients from excessive recovery deductions in injury claims.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Substance Abuse

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