Maddy summaryThis bill requires insurance companies offering small group health plans to submit their proposed premium rates and rating factors to the state commissioner by July 1 for the upcoming January 1. The commissioner will review these filings to ensure they are not excessive, inadequate, or unreasonable, specifically checking if rate increases are discriminatory or not actuarially sound. During the review, the commissioner must also evaluate whether the plans remain affordable by considering factors such as the carrier's cost-control strategies, historical rate changes, and the potential financial hardship on lower-income individuals. Additionally, the bill mandates that specific details about reimbursement rates and rating factors submitted for this review remain confidential and are exempt from public record requests.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state-run program to lower out-of-pocket costs for Massachusetts residents with specific chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. It mandates that the state select one generic and one brand-name medication for each condition based on clinical evidence, cost-effectiveness, and safety. Under the new rules, these selected drugs would be covered with reduced co-pays for eligible patients. The legislation also explicitly designates insulin as the covered medication for diabetes.
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 establishes a cost-sharing assistance program in Massachusetts to help low-income individuals afford their health insurance deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance. It targets applicants earning up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level who are enrolled in employer-sponsored health plans that meet minimum value and affordability standards. The program would provide supplemental coverage to bridge the gap between the costs of their current employer plan and those of plans available through the state health insurance connector. Additionally, the bill requires the state health insurance connector authority to evaluate the program's impact on healthcare access and equity, submitting a report to the legislature by December 1, 2029. The law is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
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 aims to ensure that MassHealth recipients receive equal access to behavioral health services, benefits, and medications from all contracted healthcare providers and insurers. It requires the state division to approve the policies, standards, and payment methods used by these organizations to guarantee comparable care quality across the system. Additionally, the legislation mandates that providers submit detailed reports on their reimbursement methodologies for inpatient mental health and substance use care within 90 days of the act taking effect. These measures are designed to increase transparency and standardize how behavioral health services are delivered and paid for under Massachusetts Medicaid.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Division of Medical Assistance and the Health Policy Commission to ensure that all healthcare research and analysis prioritizes the needs and outcomes of patients and people with disabilities. It mandates that these agencies publicly share standards for evaluating research, which include considering diverse patient subgroups and using rigorous scientific evidence while avoiding the over-interpretation of inconclusive data. Additionally, the legislation prohibits the use of specific cost-effectiveness measures, such as dollars-per-quality adjusted life year, when determining treatment coverage or reimbursement. The bill also ensures that any policies limiting patient access to treatments must include an appeals process and a mechanism for physicians to override those decisions without facing discrimination.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to investigate the needs of people living with Long COVID in Massachusetts, including medical, mental health, and socioeconomic impacts. The commission will be made up of representatives from various state agencies, medical organizations, and community groups, along with individuals who have Long COVID and community leaders. Appointed within 30 days, the group must hold public meetings and submit a report with recommendations and potential legislation by March 1, 2024. The commission will focus on ensuring its findings address equity across different racial, cultural, and regional populations before it dissolves or extends its work.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires public employers in Massachusetts to provide full-time firefighter employees with free cancer screenings every three years, starting at least three years after they begin working. The screenings must cover a specific list of cancers including lung, colon, and prostate cancer, and the employer's health plan must pay for all costs without requiring any co-pays or deductibles from the firefighters. The law applies to firefighters working for state agencies, cities, towns, and various military and port authority fire departments.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special legislative commission to study Massachusetts' public and private diagnostic testing infrastructure and recommend ways to improve preparedness for future pandemics and emerging diseases. The commission will include leaders from government agencies, healthcare providers, laboratories, and industry, along with representatives from vulnerable communities. Its main tasks involve creating an inventory of existing testing assets, identifying potential surge capacity sources, addressing access barriers for vulnerable populations, and developing a plan for a reserve of testing supplies and equipment. The commission must submit its findings and recommendations to state officials by February 1, 2023.