Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 29, 2025

S 869: An Act relative to preventing discrimination against persons with disabilities in the provision of health care

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 869) of Adam Gomez, James K. Hawkins, Jacob R. Oliveira, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the General Court for legislation to prevent discrimination against persons with disabilities in the provision of health care. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents disability discrimination in healthcare access, aligning with patient rights protection and equal care provisions.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 8, 2026

H 2378: An Act to increase patient access to certain health care services

This bill amends definitions in Massachusetts health care law to clarify when health care facilities must seek department approval before making significant service changes. It defines "substantial change in services" for hospitals and other facilities (like nursing homes), requiring review for expansions, conversions to new services (e.g., psychiatric care), or increases in bed capacity over 12 beds. The bill explicitly excludes facilities relying solely on spiritual healing through prayer, ambulatory surgical centers, and routine outpatient services from these requirements. It aims to streamline patient access to new services by establishing clear criteria for when regulatory review is needed, directly affecting hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities planning service expansions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill title explicitly states 'increase patient access to certain health care services,' directly aligning with 'improves patient access' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 759: An Act redirecting excessive health insurer reserves to support health care safety net programs

By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 759) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation to redirect excessive health insurer reserves to support health care needs. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects excessive insurer reserves to fund healthcare safety net programs, directly expanding support for vulnerable populations through increased funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 798: An Act relative to small business health insurance incentives

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 798) of Michael O. Moore and James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to small business health insurance incentives. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides incentives for small businesses to offer health insurance, expanding coverage access. Explicitly supports healthcare access through business incentives.95% confidence

Tags Small Business

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 23, 2026

H 1237: An Act to further enhance rate review examinations conducted by the health care access bureau within the division of insurance

This bill establishes a Health Care Access Bureau within Massachusetts' Division of Insurance, led by a deputy commissioner, to conduct enhanced rate reviews of health insurance premiums. The bureau must evaluate rates for affordability - considering consumer costs like deductibles and copays, as well as impacts on state health care spending goals - and examine causes of premium increases and provider price variations. Insurers licensed in Massachusetts will pay an annual $2 million assessment to fund the bureau's operations, with additional funds allocated for General Fund costs. The bureau's work aims to protect consumers, improve access to affordable coverage, and ensure fair treatment for health care providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnhances rate review oversight for health insurance markets, strengthening consumer protections and market transparency in healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 23, 2026

H 1181: An Act to redirect excessive health insurer reserves to support health care safety net programs

This bill requires health insurance companies with reserves exceeding 550% of risk-based capital to pay an assessment generating $400 million in 2023. The funds will be split equally: $200 million to the Health Safety Net Trust Fund (supporting community health programs) and $200 million to the Medicaid Stabilization Trust Fund (to prevent cuts in MassHealth services and provider reimbursements). The assessment applies only to insurers meeting the reserve threshold and expires on December 31, 2026. It directly affects health insurers with significant excess reserves, redirecting those funds to stabilize healthcare access for low-income residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes insurance assessment to fund healthcare safety net programs, directly increasing public service funding via new revenue source.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects insurer reserves to fund healthcare safety net programs, increasing public health funding and support for service delivery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 23, 2026

H 1238: An Act establishing a division of health insurance

This bill (HD 4031) renames multiple state departments and divisions to replace "insurance" with "health insurance" in official titles and responsibilities. It updates terms across 26 sections of law, including renaming the "Division of Insurance" to "Division of Health Insurance" and the "Commissioner of Insurance" to "Commissioner of Health Insurance" in relevant statutes. The bill directly affects the Department of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, its divisions, and state agencies overseeing health insurance oversight. It makes no new policy changes but ensures consistent terminology for health insurance regulation within state law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishing a division of health insurance structurally supports healthcare administration by creating dedicated oversight, aligning with strengthening system management.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 1300: An Act relative to cannabis for Medicare eligible patients

This bill allows Massachusetts health insurance plans to cover medical cannabis for patients aged 65 and older, provided the cannabis is listed on state drug schedules II through VI. It requires health plans to reimburse doctors who certify these patients for medical cannabis use under Massachusetts law. The bill directly affects seniors (65+) using medical cannabis and the state-regulated health insurance plans that cover them. It updates insurance coverage rules to align with Massachusetts' medical cannabis program without changing federal cannabis laws.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks Medicare coverage for cannabis, expanding health insurance access for eligible patients. Directly supports healthcare by increasing medical service coverage under Medicare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1408: An Act providing appropriate care for certain populations

This bill creates mandatory "Forensic Units" within certain facilities for specific patient populations. It defines these units as physically separate spaces with incarceration-like restrictions, specialized staff training, and appropriate environments. The law requires that individuals admitted under conditions specified in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), or (e) of certain facility admission rules must initially be placed in these Forensic Units. The direct effect is on patients meeting those admission criteria, ensuring they receive care in a designated unit rather than standard facility units. The bill focuses on structural requirements for facility placement, not on treatment protocols or funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly targets mental health and substance use recovery services, aligning with support indicators for expanding care access and funding mental health initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 2600: An Act requiring health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems

By Mr. Rush, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2600) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michael F. Rush for legislation to require health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems, expanding patient access to cancer treatment support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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