Rep. Sam Montaño

Maddy summaryHD 1112 allows Massachusetts cities and towns to implement a real estate transfer fee on property sales to fund affordable housing. The fee, collected by settlement agents during property closings, would be directed to municipal or regional housing trust funds. These funds must be used for acquiring, constructing, rehabilitating, or preserving housing for low- and moderate-income households (as defined by HUD). The bill provides definitions for key terms like "affordable housing purposes" and "settlement agent" to ensure consistent implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 3226) creates a new "Secretary of Equity" position within state government and adds "health equity" as a core requirement across health-related laws. It defines "priority populations" as groups disproportionately affected by health disparities and mandates that health agencies incorporate health equity into all decisions, including requiring a "chief health equity officer" (Section 8). The bill also establishes new reporting requirements for health care spending trends, including data on health inequities (Section 17), and sets aggregate expenditure targets for primary care and behavioral health services (Section 9A). It directly affects state health agencies, healthcare providers, and priority populations by requiring systemic changes to address health disparities.

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 prohibits Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and MassHealth providers from billing QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) beneficiaries for Medicare Part A or Part B cost-sharing, such as deductibles or co-pays. It directly protects low-income Medicare beneficiaries in the QMB eligibility group, who qualify for full Medicare cost-sharing assistance under federal and state law. Providers who violate this rule face potential sanctions, including monetary fines, within 90 days of the law taking effect, though minor errors or good-faith mistakes may be considered mitigating circumstances. The law aims to prevent improper billing by requiring providers to comply with existing cost-sharing protections for this specific beneficiary group.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts correctional facilities to provide free contraceptive services - including reversible methods, emergency contraception, and nonprescription options - to all incarcerated individuals capable of pregnancy upon request, with no unnecessary obstacles. It mandates family planning counseling 60-180 days before release, ensures continuity of prescribed birth control methods, and requires facilities to post clear information about reproductive health rights. For pregnant individuals, the bill guarantees they can determine their own abortion eligibility under state law, with informed consent required and prison staff barred from making such decisions. The Department of Correction must implement these changes within one year of passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state-funded pilot program to help people with Long COVID access better healthcare in Massachusetts. It requires the health department to develop a "patient navigation" service that connects patients with medical specialists, social support (like transportation or housing help), and resources to address daily challenges. The program must reduce barriers to care, study related conditions (such as ME/CFS or heart disease), and include input from Long COVID patients through a consumer advisory board. The department must report on the pilot's progress within one year, including participation numbers and recommendations for expansion.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts' Department of Public Health to establish a standardized system for tracking Long COVID (PASC) cases across the state. It mandates creating a surveillance definition aligned with national standards, developing a case report form to collect demographic data (like race, gender identity, and location), symptom details, and associated health conditions (such as heart disease or chronic fatigue), and conducting active surveillance starting six months after enactment. The department must publish annual public reports on Long COVID prevalence and impact, and submit a progress report to lawmakers within one year. This directly affects Massachusetts residents diagnosed with Long COVID by enabling a comprehensive understanding of the condition's scope and health system burden.

By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 545) of Marjorie C. Decker, Samantha Montaño and Natalie M. Higgins relative to MassHealth reimbursement to schools. Education.

Maddy summaryHD 3463 establishes a Primary Care Board to study and improve primary care access in Massachusetts. The board, composed of health care providers, insurers, community representatives, and advocacy groups, will develop recommendations for payment models (including an all-payer primary care capitation system), data reporting standards, and workforce strategies. It requires health care providers and payers to submit primary care spending data, which will be published on a public dashboard for transparency. The bill directly affects primary care providers, health insurance plans, and the state’s approach to funding primary care services.

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.