Rep. Patrick Kearney

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 4899) requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover post-pregnancy mental health care - including postpartum and post-miscarriage care - without any out-of-pocket costs like deductibles or copays. It applies to both private insurance and Medicaid plans, ensuring coverage is equally available to enrollees and their spouses or dependents. The law explicitly adds this care to existing pregnancy-related coverage requirements in multiple sections of state health laws and prohibits unreasonable delays or restrictions in accessing these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill caps the out-of-pocket cost for insulin at $100 per 30-day supply for all patients, regardless of insulin type or prescription amount. It requires pharmaceutical companies with Medicaid rebate agreements to offer free 30-day insulin supplies to individuals urgently needing insulin (with less than 7 days' supply) who meet income criteria (≤400% of federal poverty level) and lack private drug coverage. Eligible individuals must provide proof of financial need and have a prescription. The cap applies to all insurers, manufacturers, and government programs covered under the bill, ensuring consistent cost limits without requiring additional coverage.

Maddy summaryH 4952 amends Massachusetts health insurance laws to expand who can diagnose and treat autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for insurance coverage. The bill updates definitions in multiple statutes to include licensed nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists alongside physicians for ASD diagnosis, treatment, and related pharmacy care. These changes require health insurance policies to cover services by these providers starting January 1, 2027, directly affecting individuals seeking ASD care and insurers managing coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets new wage standards for direct care workers in Massachusetts human services programs. It requires that direct care staff wages meet or exceed the 75th percentile of similar jobs in the state (based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data), with salary increases for these roles tied to this benchmark. The law specifically excludes top executives (like CEOs and CFOs) from these wage requirements. It also mandates transparent calculation of fringe benefits and payroll costs for providers, and ensures compliance won't reduce funding for existing social service programs. The changes take effect 180 days after enactment, with a planning process starting July 1, 2025.

By Representative Kassner of Hamilton, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Kristin E. Kassner and others relative to senior property tax credits. Revenue.

By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2066) of Jacob R. Oliveira relative to increasing college savings plan deductions. Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to use eminent domain to acquire specific land parcels in Norwood owned by MPT of Norwood-Steward, LLC. The acquired land includes Norwood Hospital and any adjacent properties needed to support the project. After acquisition, the Division will transfer control of the land to the Department of Public Health, which will then assign it to a qualified nonprofit hospital operator. The stated goal is to ensure public access to healthcare, and the bill applies specifically to the town of Norwood and the named property owner.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts' legal definition of "veteran" to expand eligibility for state benefits. It adds two key categories: (1) members of the American Merchant Marine who served during WWII (1941-1946) with honorable discharge, and (2) veterans awarded service-connected disabilities by the U.S. Veterans Administration. The revised definition also clarifies that "active duty" includes training periods where service members were disabled. This change directly affects veterans seeking state benefits who previously may not have qualified under the older definition, while maintaining existing exclusions like dishonorable discharges.

The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches with reference to the Senate amendment of the House Bill relative to teacher preparation and student literacy (House, No. 4683), reports, recommending passage of the accompanying bill (House, No. 5511).

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 1026) requires the Division to cover medically necessary habilitative and rehabilitative treatments for adults aged 21+ who have developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or autism spectrum disorder and are covered under Chapter 118E. It mandates coverage for treatments like applied behavior analysis (provided by licensed professionals) and both dedicated and non-dedicated communication devices (including tablets), as determined medically necessary by a licensed physician or psychologist. The policy directly affects eligible adults with these diagnoses, ensuring state-funded access to specific therapies and assistive devices previously not guaranteed under the existing coverage. It does not change eligibility criteria but expands required coverage for defined treatments and devices.