Sen. Jason Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new program in Massachusetts to provide comprehensive health coverage for children and young adults under 21 who are residents but currently ineligible for MassHealth solely due to their immigration status. The legislation ensures that these individuals receive the same benefits as other residents of similar age and income levels, regardless of whether federal funding is available to support the program. By adding a new section to the state's health laws, the bill directs the executive office of health and human services to maximize federal contributions while guaranteeing that coverage is not dependent on those funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to clarify how assets transferred into special needs trusts by seniors aged 65 or older are treated for Medicaid eligibility purposes. Specifically, it instructs the state to count these transfers as a disposal of resources at fair market value, meaning the value of the assets used to fund the trust will be considered available to the individual. This change directly affects disabled seniors and their families who rely on special needs trusts to maintain eligibility for government health benefits while preserving assets for their care. The provision ensures that the state can accurately assess an individual's financial resources when determining their need for assistance under the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to change how the state recovers money from the estates of seniors and disabled individuals who received MassHealth benefits. It primarily affects people who die after April 1, 1995, by expanding the age limit for estate recovery from 65 to 55 years old for services provided after October 1, 1993. The legislation ensures that recovery can only occur after a surviving spouse dies and there are no surviving children under 21 or with disabilities, while also allowing for waivers in cases of undue hardship. Additionally, the bill restricts recovery to specific types of care, such as nursing facility and home-based services, and prevents the state from collecting more than the actual cost of services provided.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to clarify what counts as a "modest meal" for health care practitioners attending educational events sponsored by pharmaceutical or medical device companies. It sets a specific dollar limit based on federal travel allowances and requires that any food or drink be provided only during the presentation, not before or after, while also banning alcoholic beverages. The legislation further restricts these events from taking place at recreational venues like resorts or casinos and mandates that companies report detailed information about the event, including attendee names, presenter credentials, and the total cost of meals and venues. Additionally, the bill removes the requirement for the state Department of Public Health to create its own rules defining modest meals, instead relying on the fixed federal standard.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs state building examiners to create rules allowing for gender-neutral restrooms in public and private buildings across Massachusetts. The new regulations would permit facilities that include multiple stalls separated by privacy walls or partitions, along with shared handwashing areas. These changes apply to all types of construction projects, including new builds, repairs, and renovations, regardless of the building's specific use category. By amending the state building code, the legislation aims to provide a standardized framework for installing inclusive bathroom options in existing and future structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month in Massachusetts to increase public understanding of the condition. It requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation highlighting PCOS as the most common endocrine disorder in women and encouraging appropriate observance of the month. The legislation aims to promote better education about the disorder, which could lead to earlier diagnoses and improved care for affected individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day in Massachusetts. It requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging the public to observe this day and learn about the physical and mental challenges associated with pregnancy loss, failed fertility treatments, stillbirths, and the death of newborns. The legislation does not mandate specific public events but asks state officials to promote awareness of these issues through official recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new drug access program in Massachusetts to improve coverage for specific high-value medications used to treat chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. It mandates that the state secretary of health and human services identify one generic and one brand-name drug for each of these conditions based on clinical evidence and cost-effectiveness, while explicitly designating insulin as the covered diabetes treatment. The program requires health plans to cover these selected drugs without requiring prior authorization or step therapy, aiming to reduce costs and improve patient adherence. Additionally, the legislation sets up a requirement to evaluate the program's impact on treatment adherence and healthcare costs every two years.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new chapter in Massachusetts law dedicated to language access and inclusion for state agencies. It creates a legal framework requiring agencies to provide equal access to public services for individuals who do not speak English as their primary language. The legislation mandates that agencies develop formal language access plans to outline how they will offer translation and interpretation services. Additionally, the bill defines key terms such as "limited English proficient" and "culturally competent" to guide how state departments interact with diverse populations.