Healthcare

Senate, August 10, 2026 -- The committee on Public Health, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1485) of Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch, Jason M. Lewis, Julian Cyr and other members of the Senate for legislation to prohibit nonconsensual intimate examinations of anesthetized or unconscious patients; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1491) of Brendan P. Crighton, Rory McCarthy, James B. Eldridge and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation relative to chaperones for medical exams, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 3197).

This bill amends Massachusetts law to require the Department of Children and Families to consult with a pediatric medical professional when a parent or caretaker provides evidence that a child has a preexisting condition, such as rickets or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, that can mimic signs of abuse. The key provision mandates this consultation if the medical condition is known to be misdiagnosed as abuse or neglect. A physician or advanced practice registered nurse may then examine the child to advise on whether the observed symptoms are likely caused by the medical condition rather than maltreatment.

This bill submits the Department of Public Health's annual report on the Vaccine Purchase Trust Fund for fiscal year 2024 to the Massachusetts General Court. The fund finances the state's universal purchase and distribution system for routine childhood immunizations, ensuring that children under 19 have access to recommended vaccines through their healthcare providers. During the reported period, the fund collected $208 million from health insurance surcharges and spent $138 million on vaccine purchases and registry maintenance. The report details a significant increase in costs driven by the addition of new vaccines for COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, as well as catch-up vaccinations following the pandemic.

This bill requires every high school in Massachusetts that offers interscholastic athletic activities to employ a licensed athletic trainer who has completed annual head injury safety training. It also mandates that health insurance plans reimburse services provided by licensed athletic trainers with a physician's referral, ensuring these costs are not more restrictive than those for other comparable health care providers.

Senate, August 20, 2026 -- The committee on Public Health, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 227) of Ryan C. Fattman and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to expand options for EMT paramedics; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 253) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to modernize licensure of dietitians and nutritionists by creating a Dietetics and Nutrition board; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1493) of John J. Cronin for legislation to improve patient outcomes across the continuum; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1524) of James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to the Massachusetts lead law and promoting equal access to lead-free housing; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1527) of Ryan C. Fattman and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to arbovirus in the Commonwealth; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1544) of Cindy F. Friedman for legislation relative to interpreters for non-English speaking patient in health care facilities; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1558) of Edward J. Kennedy and Colleen M. Garry for legislation to ban the selling of a herbal substance that can produce opioid- and stimulant-like effects; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1574) of Paul W. Mark and Michael D. Brady for legislation to preserve access to hospital services; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1600) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative to the safety of Autistic and Alzheimer's individuals; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1613) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation to provide access to health transportation for vulnerable patients; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1620) of Michael F. Rush and Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to protect children from harmful diet pills and muscle-building supplements, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 3258).

This bill establishes a PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to finance water treatment, environmental cleanup, and private well testing for residents, primarily using money recovered from manufacturers through legal settlements. It bans the sale of food packaging containing intentionally added PFAS starting in 2028 and prohibits the sale of specific consumer products like cookware, children's items, and textiles with these chemicals by 2029, unless a temporary exemption is granted for unavoidable uses. The legislation also requires industrial facilities to implement best management practices for PFAS discharges and mandates the phase-out of sludge application without site-specific approval. Additionally, it creates a public reporting platform for manufacturers to disclose PFAS content in products and exempts farmers from certain property taxes if their land is taken out of agricultural use due to regulatory actions related to PFAS contamination.

This bill requires the Massachusetts Health Connector to submit an annual report on the ConnectorCare Expansion Pilot program for fiscal year 2026. The report will detail the program's progress and outcomes, which aim to expand health insurance eligibility to individuals earning up to a specific percentage of the federal poverty level. By placing this report on file, the legislature ensures that officials and the public have access to data on how the pilot is performing. The measure is administrative in nature and does not create new laws or change eligibility rules directly.

This bill establishes a new framework to track and increase the share of total healthcare spending dedicated to primary care in the Commonwealth. It creates specific definitions for primary care expenditures and infrastructure support, requiring the state to set annual spending targets that rise from 9% of total healthcare costs in 2030 to 15% by 2036. The legislation mandates that the state monitor these targets and report progress annually, while also requiring officials to ensure that increased primary care funding does not lead to higher overall healthcare costs or insurance premiums. Additionally, the bill updates procedures for identifying healthcare entities with excessive cost growth and may require them to submit performance improvement plans.

This bill is a procedural order that schedules House Bill 4767 for immediate consideration in the Senate on July 16, 2026. It allows the Senate to vote on a version of the bill that has been amended by the Ways and Means Committee to require health care employers to create workplace violence prevention programs. The order also sets specific rules for how amendments can be made during the debate, permitting changes to the new text and allowing further amendments to those changes. This document does not change the law itself but rather manages the legislative process to ensure the bill is reviewed and voted on at the scheduled time.

Report of the Health Policy Commission (pursuant to Chapter 343 of the Acts of 2024) submitting its Primary Care Access, Delivery, and Payment Task Force seventh report