Rep. John Lawn

Senate, October 30, 2023 -- The committee on Health Care Financing, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 732) of John J. Cronin for legislation to promote comprehensive transparency in the pharmaceutical industry; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 749) of Cindy F. Friedman, Rebecca L. Rausch, Susannah M. Whipps, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to pharmaceutical access, costs and transparency; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 767) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to define modest meals and refreshments in prescriber education settings; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 778) of Paul W. Mark for legislation to bring down the cost of prescription drugs; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 783) of Mark C. Montigny and Michael J. Barrett for legislation to promote transparency and prevent price gouging of pharmaceutical drug prices; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 784) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation relative to coverage for chronic illness; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 797) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation to bring down the cost of prescription drugs; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 619) of Nicholas A. Boldyga relative to establishing a prescription drug rebate program for seniors; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1176) of Edward F. Coppinger and others relative to promoting comprehensive transparency in the pharmaceutical industry; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1201) of Kate Hogan relative to the pricing of prescription drugs; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1205) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others that the Health Policy Commission and health insurers create listings of certain high cost prescription drugs and that the Attorney General require drug manufacturers to provide information to justify increases in costs; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1206) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to contracts between the MassHealth program and pharmaceutical benefit managers; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1215) of John J. Lawn, Jr., and others relative to pharmacy benefit managers; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1246) of William M. Straus relative to drug prices paid by carriers; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1247) of Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida, Michael J. Soter and David F. DeCoste relative to pharmacy benefit managers reimbursements to pharmacies in the Commonwealth, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2492).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Massachusetts to allow employees paid time off to vote during elections if they lack sufficient time outside of work hours. Employees must provide at least three working days' written notice to their employer to request this time, which should be taken at the beginning or end of their shift to minimize disruption. If an employer refuses to comply with these requirements, the law mandates that they must provide the affected voter with a full day's pay as compensation. Additionally, employers are required to post official notices about these voting rights on their premises and via electronic communication before each statewide election.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to formally include pharmacy benefit managers in state regulations regarding pharmaceutical pricing and market oversight. The key changes require these companies to pay the same fees as drug manufacturers when state spending on medications rises, while exempting those who also provide their own pharmacy services from extra charges. Additionally, the legislation expands the scope of investigations and reporting requirements to explicitly include pharmacy benefit managers alongside other industry players. By updating existing legal definitions and fee structures, the bill aims to ensure these entities are held accountable for their role in the state's healthcare costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Nursing Home Quality Jobs Initiative to improve wages, training, and career opportunities for direct care staff in Massachusetts licensed nursing homes. It requires MassHealth to fund a living wage add-on for employees such as certified nurse aides and housekeeping staff, adjusted annually for inflation, while also creating grant programs for supervisory training and career advancement for entry-level workers. Additionally, the legislation mandates a tuition reimbursement program for certified nursing assistant training to support workforce development. These measures aim to enhance staff retention and quality of care by addressing compensation and professional growth without guaranteeing specific outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to stabilize nursing facilities in Massachusetts by updating how the state calculates Medicaid payment rates. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to adjust rates annually based on official inflation data and to use cost reports from the previous two years rather than older figures. The legislation also mandates that nursing labor costs be set at the statewide average plus 10% and provides a minimum 5% rate increase for facilities where Medicaid residents make up at least 75% of their population. Additionally, it ensures that capital rates for specific construction projects, such as converting larger rooms into smaller ones, are calculated using a fixed methodology from 2019.

By Representatives Owens of Watertown and Lawn of Watertown, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2910) of Steven Owens, John J. Lawn, Jr., and William N. Brownsberger (with the approval of the city council) relative to property tax classifications in the city of Watertown. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]

By Representatives Owens of Watertown and Lawn of Watertown, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2622) of Steven Owens, John J. Lawn, Jr., and William N. Brownsberger (with the approval of the city council) relative to further regulating the appointment of special police officers in the city of Watertown. Public Service. [Local Approval Received.]

By Mr. Owens of Watertown, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Steven C. Owens, John J. Lawn, Jr. and William N. Brownsberger (with the approval of the city council) relative to property tax classifications in the city of Watertown. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]

The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches with reference to the Senate amendment of the House Bill preserving open space in the Commonwealth (House, No. 851), reports, in part, recommending passage of the accompanying bill (House, No. 5381).