Rep. Paul Donato

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation counseling and related information. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries who need help quitting tobacco use and the healthcare providers who deliver these services. The key provision expands the definition of covered counseling to include individual, group, and phone sessions offered by a wide range of qualified professionals, such as physicians, dentists, and behavioral health counselors. By ensuring these services are paid for by Medicaid, the legislation aims to increase access to tobacco cessation support for low-income residents.

By Representative Donato of Medford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2150) of Paul J. Donato and Ryan C. Fattman relative to the definition of podiatry. Public Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts health laws to protect patients from unexpected facility fees charged by non-hospital medical settings. It restricts these fees to services provided on hospital campuses, in hospital emergency departments, or at licensed satellite emergency facilities, while allowing the state to designate other services that can safely be offered outside hospitals. Providers must give patients clear written notice about potential fees before appointments or upon arrival, and facilities must clearly identify their hospital affiliation in signage and marketing materials. The legislation also requires posted warnings about higher costs at these locations and mandates that providers inform patients if a previously fee-free site begins charging fees. Non-compliance with these rules could result in fines of up to $1,000 per occurrence.

By Representatives Gentile of Sudbury and Kane of Shrewsbury, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2182) of Carmine Lawrence Gentile, Hannah Kane and others for legislation to reduce incidence and death from pancreatic cancer. Public Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens oversight of Massachusetts healthcare providers by restricting those identified with high cost growth or performance issues from making significant operational changes until they meet specific cost benchmarks. It requires the state commission to annually review approved mergers and acquisitions to verify promised benefits like lower costs and improved quality, including collecting testimony and issuing public reports. If a merger fails to deliver these benefits, the commission can impose enhanced reviews, require corrective action plans, or block future changes for a year. Additionally, providers that exceed cost growth benchmarks after a failed merger may face financial adjustments affecting their payments to the state's Health Safety Net program.

By Representatives Khan of Newton and Fluker Oakley of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2209) of Kay Khan, Brandy Fluker Oakley and others for legislation to establish a board of registration in midwifery and further regulating out-of-hospital birth access and safety. Public Health.

By Representative Donato of Medford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2508) of Paul J. Donato relative to filling certain vacancies on retirement boards. Public Service.

By Representatives Ultrino of Malden and Donato of Medford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3116) of Steven Ultrino and Paul J. Donato relative to charter schools and the uniform procurement act. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require Medicaid to cover doula services for eligible pregnant and postpartum individuals. It defines doula services as non-medical physical, emotional, and informational support provided during pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and up to one year after birth or pregnancy loss. The coverage includes continuous labor support, home visits, assistance with appointments, and help connecting families to community resources. By adding this specific provision to Chapter 118E of the General Laws, the legislation ensures that state-funded health care plans include these supportive services for qualifying beneficiaries.