Rep. Jack Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to ensure that pregnancy care services are covered by health insurance plans without requiring patients to pay deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance. The law specifically targets plans governed by state regulations, though it allows cost-sharing to remain if a plan must comply with federal tax rules to maintain its tax-exempt status. Additionally, the bill mandates that insurance plans cannot impose unreasonable restrictions or delays on accessing these covered services. The Massachusetts Insurance Commission is tasked with monitoring and enforcing compliance with these new requirements to protect patient access to care.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Medicaid coverage in Massachusetts to include tobacco cessation counseling services. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries who need help quitting tobacco use by ensuring they can access these programs. The key provision updates state law to define "tobacco use cessation counseling" broadly, allowing it to be delivered by various qualified professionals including physicians, dentists, and behavioral health counselors through individual, group, or phone sessions. By adding this specific language to existing health statutes, the legislation formalizes the availability of these support services for those enrolled in the state's public health insurance program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new system in Massachusetts to set standard payment rates for health care services provided by doctors who are not part of an insurance company's network. It requires the state to create specific rates for both emergency and nonemergency care by analyzing existing contracts and considering factors like patient access and total healthcare costs. Insurance companies must then use these state-determined rates to bill out-of-network providers, and the bill mandates that these protections be clearly explained to consumers on their payment summaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to formally define cognitive rehabilitation services for individuals with acquired brain injuries, such as those caused by strokes or traumatic brain injuries. It establishes specific definitions for various therapies, including cognitive rehabilitation therapy and community reintegration services, to ensure clarity in how these treatments are described and delivered. The legislation aims to create a standardized framework for these services, which are designed to help patients relearn essential daily living skills and safely return to their communities. By updating the legal definitions within Chapter 32A of the General Laws, the bill provides a clearer basis for insurance coverage and service delivery for this specific population.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill requires that social service and home care workers be paid at least 140 percent of the state's minimum wage. To make this possible, the state agency overseeing these programs must adjust the payment rates it gives to service providers to cover the increased labor costs. Before setting these new rates, the agency must hold public hearings to gather input from workers, employers, and community members, and it must investigate current wages and working conditions. The law also grants the agency the power to issue subpoenas to ensure witnesses and records are available during this investigation process.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts tax deed procedures to protect homeowners facing foreclosure by requiring land courts to verify unpaid taxes and ensuring proper notice is given before a property is seized. It mandates that collectors post notices in public locations and newspapers, and it requires the court to treat the tax title holder like a mortgage lender with priority over other claims to the sale proceeds. Additionally, the legislation adds a bold warning to tax notices stating that failure to act results in losing property ownership, and it allows homeowners to redeem their property by collecting rent or other income from the land. These changes directly affect homeowners in Massachusetts who owe property taxes and the state officials responsible for collecting those debts.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to establish a formal bill of rights for individuals experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts. It achieves this by repealing an existing law and adding new provisions to Chapter 214 that guarantee these individuals the right to be free from discrimination based on their housing status. The legislation explicitly defines "persons experiencing homelessness" to include those living in shelters, cars, parks, or other non-traditional settings, and grants them the right to use public spaces like parks and sidewalks without discrimination. By clarifying these definitions and protections, the bill seeks to ensure that people without fixed nighttime residences can access public areas on equal footing with others.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts insurance laws to require health plans to provide clearer information about prescription drug formularies and costs. It mandates that plans explain what a formulary is, list all drug management rules like prior authorizations, and display specific co-pay amounts or cost ranges for different tiers of coverage. Additionally, the law requires plans to update their online drug lists within 72 hours of any changes and to use a standardized template for displaying this information. These provisions apply to policies issued, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2018, directly affecting insurance companies and their enrollees.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to expand health insurance coverage for specific therapies addressing cognitive deficits caused by acquired brain injuries. It directly affects individuals suffering from conditions such as strokes or traumatic brain injuries by defining key treatment types like cognitive rehabilitation and neurobehavioral therapy. The legislation establishes clear definitions for these services to ensure they are recognized as medically necessary under existing insurance frameworks. Additionally, it includes provisions for community reintegration services aimed at helping patients safely return to work, school, and independent living.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the minimum wage rates paid to care workers within Massachusetts social service programs. It achieves this by amending existing state laws to mandate higher payment standards for these specific employees. The change directly affects agencies and organizations that currently hire care workers under these programs, ensuring they receive enhanced compensation.