Rep. Mike Connolly

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 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 summaryBill H 4489 requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to disclose pricing information - including wholesale cost trends, research spending, and explanations for price changes - to a state commission. The commission reviews this data to assess whether drug pricing is unreasonable compared to a "proposed value" and then issues public recommendations, such as bulk purchasing programs or adjusted insurance costs, to improve affordability. Manufacturers face potential civil penalties of up to $500,000 for non-compliance or providing false information. The bill explicitly states its process does not affect individual patient treatment decisions or health plan coverage determinations.

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.

Senate, July 24, 2025 -- Text of the Senate Bill amending certain laws relative to individuals with disabilities (Senate, No. 2563) (being the text of Senate, No. 137, printed as amended)

Senate, July 31, 2025 -- Text of the Senate Bill to promote student learning and mental health (Senate, No. 2581) (being the text of Senate document numbered 2561, printed as amended)

Maddy summaryThis bill, HD 1500, requires health insurance providers, health care plans, and related entities to accept a single written verification from a health care provider for gender-affirming care. It prohibits them from rejecting such verification unless it clearly fails to meet established clinical guidelines, and prevents them from demanding more than one verification for treatment of gender dysphoria. The bill defines "qualified mental health care professional" using standards from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). It directly affects transgender individuals seeking health coverage for gender-affirming care and the insurers/health plans that process those requests. The policy change removes bureaucratic barriers to accessing medically necessary care.

Maddy summaryHD 4041 requires the state of Massachusetts to cover the full cost of fringe benefits (including pensions and health insurance) and incremental salary increases from collective bargaining agreements for employees at public universities and colleges. It applies to faculty and staff covered by agreements with the University of Massachusetts or the Board of Higher Education, excluding grant-funded or auxiliary positions. The bill mandates that these institutions must certify each agreement will ensure average salaries for each job category reach at least the national average (adjusted for cost of living) by the contract’s end. This shifts funding responsibility from institutions to the state budget for these specific costs.

Maddy summaryHD 2470 requires Massachusetts school districts and education collaboratives to provide paid family and medical leave to all their educators. The bill expands eligibility under the state's family and medical leave program to include educators as "covered individuals" and designates school districts as "covered employers" for this purpose. Crucially, it mandates that school districts fund their required employer contributions using existing income surtax revenue, rather than employee payroll deductions. This ensures educators can access paid leave without additional costs to the school districts, while preserving their benefits like health insurance and seniority during leave.

Maddy summaryHD 2974 provides paid family and medical leave for educators employed by school districts or education collaboratives, and for municipal employees who choose to adopt the program. The bill requires the state (Commonwealth) to cover the employer's share of the cost for these groups by paying into a leave trust fund, rather than requiring local school districts or municipalities to fund it themselves. It also ensures that employees on leave maintain their health insurance coverage and accrue benefits like vacation time and seniority. This applies specifically to covered educators and municipal employees who opt into the program under the bill's provisions.