Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 6, 2025

S 855: An Act ensuring equitable health coverage for children

This bill establishes a new MassHealth program providing comprehensive health coverage to children and young adults under 21 in Massachusetts who are residents but cannot access regular Medicaid benefits solely due to their immigration status. It ensures these individuals receive the same health benefits as other low-income children of similar age and income under existing eligibility rules. The program requires the state health department to maximize federal funding for these benefits, but the coverage cannot be withheld if federal funds are unavailable. This directly affects immigrant youth who were previously excluded from state health programs because of their immigration status.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to ensure equitable health coverage for children, expanding access and advancing healthcare for a vulnerable group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1792: An Act relative to mandatory coverage for certain health screenings for firefighters

By Mr. Brady, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1792) of Michael D. Brady for legislation relative to mandatory coverage for certain health screenings for firefighters. Public Service.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandatory coverage for firefighter health screenings expands preventive care access by requiring insurers to cover specific screenings, strengthening healthcare access for first responders.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 23, 2026

H 1212: An Act relative to emergency insulin access

This bill allows pharmacists in Massachusetts to provide emergency insulin without a current prescription during urgent situations where a patient cannot quickly obtain authorization from their doctor. It defines an "emergency situation" as one where immediate prescription authorization isn't possible and requires pharmacists to use their professional judgment to determine if insulin is essential for sustaining life or managing a chronic condition. The bill limits emergency insulin dispensing to a 30-day supply per instance and prohibits the same pharmacist from providing this emergency supply more than once every six months to the same patient. It amends multiple statutes to include this provision, ensuring pharmacists can act in emergencies while maintaining safety safeguards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directly addresses emergency insulin access, improving patient access to critical medication, a core healthcare access issue with no restrictive language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 22, 2025

H 1398: An Act relative to hospital profit and fairness

HD 3584, titled "An Act relative to hospital profit and fairness," targets hospitals receiving Commonwealth funding that serve fewer than 60% government patients (e.g., Medicaid/Medicare). It imposes civil penalties on facilities with operating margins exceeding 8% or CEO compensation over 50 times the minimum wage employee pay, requiring public reporting of all financial assets (including foreign holdings) within 7 days. Penalties collected fund a new Medicaid Reimbursement Enhancement Fund to improve Medicaid payments to eligible hospitals. The law applies to acute care hospitals, teaching hospitals, and state-operated facilities but excludes rehabilitation and long-term care centers. It takes effect January 1, 2025, without affecting pre-existing contracts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill imposes civil penalties for excessive profits/compensation at publicly funded hospitals to ensure public funds are used appropriately for healthcare, protecting the healthcare system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 779: An Act to protect 340B providers in the MassHealth program

By Representative Lipper-Garabedian of Melrose, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 779) of Kate Lipper-Garabedian relative to hospital access to discounted purchase of prescription drugs. Elder Affairs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects 340B providers' access to discounted drugs in MassHealth, strengthening healthcare affordability and access for safety-net hospitals serving vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 1390: An Act relative to MassHealth managed care pharmacy benefit reimbursement rates

By Representative McMurtry of Dedham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1390) of Paul McMurtry relative to MassHealth managed care pharmacy benefit reimbursement rates. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill adjusts MassHealth pharmacy reimbursement rates, directly supporting pharmacy benefit access and financing within public healthcare program, aligning with funding/access indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 1373: An Act relative to establishing a health safety net task force

HD 1199 creates a 14-member task force to review how Massachusetts hospitals and dental schools (including those at Boston University, Tufts, and Harvard) are reimbursed for care provided to MassHealth members. The task force must examine current laws and identify ways to improve payment systems for basic dental and general healthcare services. It will make recommendations for legislative changes to establish proper funding and reimbursement procedures within 12 months of the bill's passage. This bill directly affects Massachusetts healthcare providers and MassHealth's payment structure, but does not change existing funding levels.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes task force to study MassHealth dental/hospital reimbursement, aiming to improve access and funding for public health services.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 1387: An Act to increase reimbursement for low historic relative price hospitals

This bill (HD 3298) increases reimbursement rates for specific hospitals deemed "low historic relative price hospitals" - defined as facilities with historically low payment rates (average relative price below 0.90 over 5 years) that operate independently or negotiate contracts separately. It requires insurers to gradually improve payments: for 2026-2029, payments must not fall more than 15% below the average hospital rate; for 2029-2032, annual increases must exceed healthcare cost growth by at least 2%; and subsequent cycles gradually align payments with healthcare cost growth. The law mandates annual publication of qualifying hospitals by the commission and sets phased targets through 2038. It directly affects these hospitals and the insurers paying them within the state's healthcare system.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly increases reimbursement for qualifying hospitals under Health Care Financing, directly funding healthcare providers to improve hospital financial stability and service capacity.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 16, 2026

H 1382: An Act to promote continuity of health coverage for children

This bill guarantees at least 12 months of continuous health coverage through MassHealth for children under 19. It directly affects Massachusetts children enrolled in MassHealth, ensuring they retain coverage for a full year unless specific circumstances occur - such as turning 19, moving out of state, voluntarily leaving the program, or if coverage was wrongly granted due to fraud. The law requires the state to maintain this coverage period without interruption, reducing gaps in care for families. Exceptions are clearly defined to prevent misuse while ensuring stability for eligible children.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to 'promote continuity of health coverage for children' eligible for MassHealth, directly advancing access to healthcare coverage without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 4770: An Act relative to a CHIA analysis of co-pays for mental and behavioral health services

By Representative Scanlon of North Attleborough, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Adam J. Scanlon that the Center for Health Information and Analysis be authorized to conduct an analysis of eliminating or capping co-pays for mental and behavioral health services. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directs analysis to eliminate/cap mental health co-pays, reducing financial barriers and improving access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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