Sen. Jason Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals in Massachusetts to clearly inform patients before non-emergency care that hospital-based facilities charge separate fees for operational costs in addition to standard medical fees. It mandates that these facilities disclose the potential for higher financial liability compared to seeing a provider outside the hospital and provide written details on how patients can manage these costs through insurance or the hospital. Additionally, the law requires hospitals to clearly label their satellite locations or remote departments as hospital-based facilities in signage, marketing, and on their websites to ensure patients understand the nature of the care setting.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Massachusetts Data Privacy Protection Act to regulate how businesses collect, process, and share personal information about residents. It defines specific terms like "covered data" and "covered entities," while exempting small businesses with low revenues and limited data collection from these rules. The legislation requires companies to obtain clear consent from individuals before using their data and outlines strict security measures for protecting sensitive information such as biometric data. Additionally, it imposes special obligations on large social media platforms with significant revenue and user bases regarding how they handle user information.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires various health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover opioid antagonists, such as naloxone, without charging patients any copay or coinsurance. It directly affects state employees, Medicaid participants, and individuals with private insurance policies issued within the state. The law allows these drugs to be covered under statewide standing orders, meaning a prescription from a doctor is not needed to receive the medication. The only exception to the no-cost rule is for plans governed by federal tax laws that would lose their tax-exempt status if they eliminated cost-sharing for this service.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill expands state-mandated health insurance coverage to explicitly include mental health services for individuals after pregnancy, miscarriage, or adoption. The legislation requires that these mental health benefits be provided without any deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance, ensuring they are fully covered alongside existing postpartum care. By amending multiple sections of state health laws, the act ensures that these protections apply to all covered spouses and dependents across various insurance plans and Medicaid programs. The changes are designed to remove financial barriers and administrative delays, taking effect six months after the bill is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to require Medicaid, known as MassHealth, to cover doula services for pregnant and postpartum individuals, including those with specific immigration statuses. It defines doula services as non-medical physical, emotional, and informational support provided during pregnancy, labor, and up to one year after birth or pregnancy loss. The legislation mandates that the state cover continuous labor support and at least six visits, including two postpartum visits, without needing prior approval. Additionally, the bill establishes a Doula Advisory Committee composed of practicing doulas and community members to oversee program implementation, set training standards, and ensure diverse recruitment.

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 increase access to dental care for MassHealth enrollees by offering financial incentives to participating dentists and public health dental hygienists. Under the new provisions, eligible providers located in specific municipalities with high numbers of MassHealth members and low dental service usage will receive an additional payment of $31 for each patient encounter. To qualify for these supplemental payments, providers must be licensed in Massachusetts, enrolled with MassHealth, and located in areas designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as having significant unmet dental needs. The legislation requires the department to create regulations defining which municipalities are eligible based on historical enrollment and utilization data.

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 amends Massachusetts law to require Medicaid and certain other insurance plans to cover doula services for pregnant and postpartum individuals, including those with limited immigration status. It defines doula services as non-medical support provided during pregnancy, labor, and up to one year after birth, covering activities such as continuous labor support, home visits, and connecting families to community resources. The legislation mandates that plans cover continuous labor support and at least six visits across the prenatal and postpartum period without needing prior approval. Additionally, the bill creates a Doula Advisory Committee to guide policy implementation, ensuring the committee includes diverse representatives such as practicing doulas, individuals with lived maternal health experiences, and people from communities with worse maternal outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts health care providers and facilities serving children to screen patients for PANDAS and PANS, which are conditions involving sudden neuropsychiatric symptoms potentially linked to streptococcal infections. The legislation mandates that the Department of Public Health create a specific set of criteria for identifying these disorders and establish best practice standards for diagnosis and treatment based on evidence of positive patient outcomes. Health professionals, including physicians, psychiatrists, and mental health counselors, must follow these new guidelines when evaluating pediatric patients, while hospitals and clinics are required to ensure their patients receive these screenings. The Department of Public Health is given 180 days to develop the necessary regulations, with the screening requirements taking effect 270 days after the bill becomes law.