Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 5, 2026

H 1257: An Act relative to ensuring treatment for genetic craniofacial conditions

This bill (HD 1173) requires specific insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover medically necessary functional repair or restoration for certain congenital craniofacial disorders. It applies to Commonwealth employee health plans, state division programs, private insurance policies, and health maintenance organizations. Coverage must include treatment for ectodermal dysplasia, dentinogenesis imperfecta, and amelogenesis imperfecta (excluding cleft lip/palate, which is covered under separate existing sections), but excludes cosmetic surgery and unrelated dental/orthodontic care. Crucially, these benefits must not face higher deductibles, copays, or out-of-pocket limits than other plan benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates health insurance coverage for genetic craniofacial treatment, expanding patient access to specialized care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 822: An Act expanding health insurance access for state employees

By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 822) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to expand health insurance access for state employees. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands health insurance access for state employees, directly advancing coverage access per title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 16, 2025

H 2399: An Act to improve access to health care for people with Long COVID

This bill establishes a state-funded pilot program to improve healthcare access for Massachusetts residents diagnosed with Long COVID. It requires the health department to create a culturally-specific patient navigation program aligned with the National Academies' Long COVID definition, focusing on reducing barriers to treatment and connecting patients to clinical care, specialists, insurance support, and nonmedical services like housing or transportation assistance. The program includes data collection, needs assessments, and navigation for both medical and social needs, with provisions for reimbursement of navigator services. A consumer advisory board of Long COVID patients and healthcare providers must guide the program's development, and the department must report to the legislature within one year on the pilot's results and potential for expansion.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to improve healthcare access for Long COVID patients, directly aligning with support indicators like enhanced patient access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 29, 2026

H 4617: An Act to remove barriers to patient care

This bill (H 4617) allows advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to fulfill certain healthcare documentation requirements currently limited to physicians. Specifically, it amends Massachusetts health laws to permit APRNs to provide diagnostic evaluations, medical necessity determinations, written orders, prescriptions, and treatment recommendations for insurance coverage and reimbursement purposes. The bill explicitly states it does not expand APRNs' existing scope of practice. It directly affects healthcare providers (APRNs and physicians), healthcare facilities, and insurers by changing reimbursement eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows APRNs to perform key documentation tasks for insurance/reimbursement, expanding provider access without altering scope, directly improving patient care access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 9, 2026

H 1156: An Act relative to uncollected co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles

This bill requires health insurance carriers to reimburse healthcare providers 65% of unpaid patient co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles after providers make documented reasonable collection efforts (e.g., 120+ days of contact attempts). It directly affects healthcare providers who struggle to collect these patient payments, particularly for claims over $250 per unique service. Providers must submit annual aggregated requests by May 1 with documentation of collection efforts, and carriers must pay within 120 days of receiving valid submissions. The law aims to reduce provider financial strain from uncollected patient costs while referencing CMS guidelines for collection standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires healthcare carriers to share accountability for uncollectible patient payments, reducing provider financial burden and improving access to care.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1743: An Act establishing medical civil rights

This bill requires law enforcement and correctional officers to immediately request emergency medical services when a person in their custody or under their direct observation shows signs of an emergency medical condition or is medically unstable. It defines key terms like "emergency medical condition" (symptoms severe enough to risk serious harm without prompt care) and "medically unstable" (unstable health status likely to become an emergency). Officers must act if the person communicates their condition or if the officer reasonably observes symptoms, with limited exceptions if the person was recently cleared by a medical professional. The law directly affects individuals interacting with police or in correctional facilities and sets clear protocols for officer response to medical crises.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes 'medical civil rights,' directly protecting patient rights in healthcare settings, aligning with support indicators like patient rights protection.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 28, 2026

H 1315: An Act relative to IUD pain management coverage

This bill requires most health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover pain management options during IUD insertions without cost-sharing. It applies to state employee health plans, Medicaid, private accident/sickness insurance, and hospital service plans, covering methods like IV sedation, oral sedation, or topical anesthesia as prescribed by a provider. The law prohibits deductibles, copays, or cost-sharing for these services and ensures coverage extends to spouses and dependents. Religious employers may opt out but must notify enrollees about excluded contraceptive services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for IUD pain management, expanding access to reproductive healthcare services.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 8, 2025

S 1399: An Act to increase investment in behavioral health care in the Commonwealth

This bill establishes a 30% annual growth target for behavioral health spending above 2025 baseline levels for the 2026-2028 period, requiring the state commission to track and report on progress. It mandates annual public hearings and detailed annual reports analyzing behavioral health spending trends, cost drivers, and how well the system meets the target. The commission must publish these reports publicly and propose strategies to improve affordability and efficiency in behavioral health care. The law applies to all behavioral health expenditures in Massachusetts, directly affecting how the state monitors and manages these costs through defined targets and reporting mechanisms.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly increases funding for behavioral health care, directly supporting mental health services within healthcare policy as defined.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 27, 2025

H 2536: An Act relative to facilitating the utilization of psychologists on the health care team

HD 1858 amends a Massachusetts law to explicitly include psychologists alongside dentists as recognized professionals who can be part of a healthcare team. This minor procedural change directly affects healthcare providers and teams by formally expanding the legal scope of who can contribute to patient care under Chapter 112. The key mechanism is adding the word "psychologists" after "dentists" in Section 80B of the General Laws, updating the statutory list. The bill does not create new services or funding but clarifies existing legal recognition for psychologists in team-based care. This change streamlines administrative processes for healthcare teams seeking to integrate psychological services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands mental health services by including psychologists in nursing practice definition, improving access to healthcare teams under Public Health.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1414: An Act increasing access to ABA services by recognizing assistant level providers

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1414) of Michael O. Moore, John J. Cronin, James B. Eldridge, Paul R. Feeney and other members of the Senate for legislation to increase access to Applied Behavior Analysis services by recognizing assistant level providers. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases mental health service access by recognizing assistant providers for ABA therapy, directly expanding patient access to covered care under mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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