Rep. James Arena-DeRosa

Maddy summaryThis bill requires insurance providers in Massachusetts to cover colorectal cancer screening for individuals aged 30 and older without charging co-pays, deductibles, or other fees. It mandates that group insurance plans, Medicaid managed care organizations, and private accident and sickness policies include specific screening tests such as colonoscopies, flexible sigmoidoscopies, and various stool-based tests when deemed medically necessary by a primary care physician. The legislation applies to both active and retired state employees as well as the general public covered under these insurance plans. By removing cost-sharing barriers, the bill aims to ensure broader access to preventive care for early detection of colon cancer.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures that individuals in Massachusetts can continue seeing their mental health providers even if those providers are removed from an insurance network or the insurance company changes. It defines a "continuing course of treatment" as having at least one visit in the past four months for the same condition or similar symptoms. Under the new rules, insurance carriers must pay the full in-network rate to providers who are out-of-network due to disenrollment or plan changes, unless the removal was due to fraud or quality issues. Patients may face a higher co-payment only if the carrier proves that using an out-of-network provider significantly increases costs, and no new deductibles or additional charges are allowed for this coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to create a new state system called the Massachusetts Health Care Trust to provide universal health coverage for all residents. It establishes a Board of Trustees and an Executive Director to manage the program, which is designed to offer affordable and equitable access to medical services for everyone in the Commonwealth. The legislation amends existing state laws to add this new chapter, effectively replacing or supplementing the current insurance model with a single-payer approach.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to conduct a study on administrative discharges from substance use disorder treatment programs. An administrative discharge is defined as a patient being removed from care by staff for breaking program rules, even if they have not yet shown clinical improvement. The study will investigate the criteria programs use for these discharges, the safety standards involved, and what resources or care coordination options are available to patients after being discharged. The department must submit its findings and recommendations to the state legislature by December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to improve transparency and affordability for prescription drugs by updating how different types of medications are defined. It specifically clarifies the legal definitions of biosimilars, brand name drugs, and generic drugs to ensure consistency across the state's healthcare system. Additionally, the legislation expands coverage to include self-insured health plans, which were previously excluded from certain reporting requirements. By refining these categories and broadening the scope of included plans, the bill aims to provide clearer data on drug costs for consumers and insurers.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Health Insurance Connector Authority to run a five-year pilot program starting in 2024 that expands affordable health coverage to individuals earning up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level. Under the program, eligible applicants between 300 and 500 percent of the poverty line would gain access to health plans with at least 90 percent actuarial value, while funding for these subsidies would come from the Commonwealth Care Trust Fund. The legislation also requires the Connector Authority to evaluate the program's impact on healthcare access, costs, and health equity by collecting specific data annually and submitting reports to state officials by December 2026 and December 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires insurance companies in Massachusetts to pay safety net hospitals at least as much as the state's average commercial rate for inpatient and outpatient services. It specifically targets acute care hospitals that treat at least 25% of their patients through Medicaid and serve communities facing health disparities due to race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. If an insurer pays these hospitals less than the statewide average, their commercial insurance rates will be automatically rejected by the state insurance commissioner unless they provide proof of higher payments. The law applies to all commercial health plans starting January 1, 2023, aiming to ensure these hospitals receive fair reimbursement to maintain access to care.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special commission to study ways to improve pollinator health by increasing native habitat in places like farms, forests, parks, and urban areas. The commission will include representatives from government agencies, universities, farmers, beekeepers, and environmental groups, with the secretary of energy and environmental affairs serving as chair. Over the next year, the group will review current laws, compare successful programs from other states, assess funding needs, and gather data on pollinator populations. By May 1, 2025, the commission must submit its findings and any recommended laws to the state legislature for further action.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve access to telehealth services and address digital inequality for patients in Massachusetts. It requires state agencies to link the application process for affordable internet programs with the portal used to apply for other health benefits, helping those who need reliable internet to use telehealth. Additionally, the bill restricts insurance companies from requiring prior authorization for telehealth visits if they do not require it for in-person appointments and mandates that telehealth coverage includes reimbursement for interpreter services for patients with limited English proficiency or hearing impairments.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance carriers in Massachusetts from forcing patients to switch to cheaper alternative drugs if their current prescription is medically stable and was prescribed within the last six months. It specifically bans insurers from increasing costs, reducing coverage limits, or moving covered medications to more restrictive tiers during open enrollment or after a plan year begins. The law requires that coverage for these approved medications continue through the end of the patient's eligibility period unless the drug's safety is questioned by the FDA or its manufacturer.