Rep. Michelle DuBois

Maddy summaryHD 830 increases the monthly personal needs allowance for long-term care residents in Massachusetts from $72.80 to $113.42. It directly affects individuals living in licensed nursing facilities, chronic hospitals, rest homes, or other approved medical institutions who are not maintaining their own homes. The bill ensures these residents retain the first $113.42 of their monthly income for personal expenses or receive the difference if their income is lower, with the amount automatically adjusted annually at the same rate as other state supplementary payments. This change applies to all relevant care settings covered under chapters 117A, 118A, and 118E of the General Laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a single government-run health care system called the Massachusetts Health Care Trust, providing universal coverage to all Massachusetts residents. It eliminates patient cost-sharing (like deductibles and co-pays) and requires the Trust to cover all medically appropriate services, including dental, behavioral health, and long-term care. The Trust would replace current private and public insurance plans, funding care through state revenue to ensure coverage regardless of income, health status, or employment. It directly affects every Massachusetts resident (as defined, including homeless individuals and undocumented people) and all health care providers in the state. The system aims to reduce administrative costs, control spending, and expand preventive care while guaranteeing continuous coverage without job or enrollment changes.

Maddy summaryHD 3885 creates a tax credit for Massachusetts employers that establish on-site, licensed child care centers for their employees. Employers can claim a 25% credit (up to $500,000 annually) on qualified childcare expenses, including facility costs, operating expenses, and contracted services. To qualify, the child care must be affordable (costs capped by state standards based on employee salary), open to all employees without discrimination, and meet licensing requirements. The credit reduces state excise tax liability and can be carried forward for up to five years if not fully used in the initial year.

Maddy summaryHD 3390 modifies Massachusetts tax law to address income from foreign entities. It specifies that amounts included in federal income under Section 951A of the IRS Code (related to global intangible low-taxed income) will no longer be treated as dividends for state tax purposes, and taxpayers can only deduct 50% of this income instead of the full amount. This primarily affects businesses and individuals with foreign income subject to Section 951A provisions. The changes apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits mandatory overtime for healthcare workers in specific Massachusetts facilities, including hospitals and certain correctional facilities (excluding long-term care and most correctional settings). It allows overtime only during true emergencies with no reasonable alternatives, requires facilities to seek voluntary coverage first, and limits consecutive work to 16 hours with 8 hours off afterward. Facilities must report all mandatory overtime use to health authorities, and workers cannot face retaliation for refusing overtime beyond these limits. The law directly affects nurses, support staff, and other healthcare personnel in covered facilities, aiming to protect patient safety and staff well-being.

Maddy summaryH 5024 establishes a 19-member commission to study foster care and child care liability insurance issues in Massachusetts. The commission, including representatives from foster/child care providers, insurers, state agencies, and advocacy groups, will examine insurance costs, availability barriers, and best practices nationwide. It must submit findings and recommendations by December 2026 to inform potential policy changes affecting providers. This procedural resolution creates a study body, not a direct policy change.

Maddy summaryHD 2540 creates a legal process for terminally ill Massachusetts residents to request medication for a peaceful death. It requires patients to be mentally capable adults with a terminal diagnosis (expected death within 6 months), prove Massachusetts residency, and complete a 15-day waiting period after an initial oral request. The process involves two physicians confirming the diagnosis and mental capacity, plus two non-family witnesses verifying the patient’s voluntary participation. Patients with legal guardians are excluded, and the bill explicitly does not affect existing hospice or palliative care options.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for paid caregiving under MassHealth's home and community-based services program. It directly affects legally liable family members (including parents, guardians, adult children, and others with legal responsibility) who currently may be excluded from being paid caregivers. The key provision amends the law to explicitly include these individuals within the definition of "family member" for payment purposes, removing barriers imposed by existing statutes. MassHealth must then file a required state plan amendment or waiver to implement this change. The policy change modifies program eligibility rules without altering funding or creating new services.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits discrimination against entities participating in the federal 340B drug discount program. It requires insurers and drug distributors to pay 340B-covered entities (like community health centers and safety-net hospitals) and their contract pharmacies the same rate as non-340B providers for covered drugs, without imposing special requirements or modifiers for 340B drugs. The law also protects patients' choice to receive 340B drugs from participating providers without interference. Violations are treated as unfair trade practices under Massachusetts law, enforced by the Attorney General and pharmacy board. The bill directly affects 340B program participants, their pharmacy partners, insurers, and drug manufacturers/distributors operating in Massachusetts.

By Representative Garballey of Arlington, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Sean Garballey relative to Medicaid coverage for autism treatment and assistive technologies. Health Care Financing.