Sen. Jason Lewis

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 establishes a refundable tax credit for Massachusetts residents who provide unpaid care for family members requiring assistance with daily activities like bathing, eating, or moving. To qualify, the caregiver must have an income below $75,000 individually or $150,000 as a couple and spend money on eligible expenses such as home modifications, medical equipment, or hiring professional care services. The credit covers 100% of these costs but is capped at $1,500 per eligible family member to ensure the total benefit does not exceed that maximum amount. If multiple people care for the same individual, the $1,500 limit is shared among them based on how much each person spent. The law also requires the Department of Revenue to review and adjust the credit parameters every five years starting from when it takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill requires health insurance plans to cover full spectrum pregnancy care without deductibles, copayments, or other cost-sharing fees. It applies to most state-regulated plans but allows insurers to charge fees if doing so would cause them to lose their federal tax-exempt status. The legislation also mandates that insurance companies cannot impose unreasonable restrictions or delays on accessing these services. State regulators are tasked with ensuring that all health plans comply with these new coverage requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities by requiring health insurance companies in Massachusetts to pay safety net hospitals at rates comparable to their statewide average. It specifically targets acute care hospitals that treat at least 25% of their patients through Medicaid and serve communities facing health inequities due to race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. Under this law, commercial insurance rates are considered presumptively disapproved if they do not reimburse these designated hospitals at or above the carrier's average commercial price for both inpatient and outpatient services. Insurance carriers must annually certify to the state that they are meeting this minimum threshold for each qualifying hospital. The policy takes effect for rate years beginning on or after January 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a financial incentive program to encourage more MassHealth dental providers to treat patients in specific underserved areas of Massachusetts. It directs the state to offer supplemental payments of $31 per patient visit to licensed dentists and hygienists who treat at least ten additional MassHealth beneficiaries in a year compared to the previous year. These payments are restricted to providers operating in twenty designated municipalities identified as having high enrollment and low dental service usage. The legislation requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish rules defining eligible locations and to review the payment rate annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to establish a new state system called the Massachusetts Health Care Trust to provide universal health coverage to all residents of the Commonwealth. It creates a new chapter in state law that defines key terms, such as "resident," to explicitly include homeless, incarcerated, and undocumented individuals living in Massachusetts. The legislation declares that access to quality health care is a right for all residents and aims to eliminate out-of-pocket costs like co-payments, deductibles, and co-insurance. By setting up a dedicated trust fund and board of trustees, the bill outlines the structural framework needed to finance and administer this comprehensive health care program.

May 9, 2024 -- The committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 25) of Cynthia Stone Creem and Jason M. Lewis for legislation to establish the Massachusetts Data Privacy Protection Act, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2770).

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a new chapter in Massachusetts law to update how the state manages funding and fees related to digital infrastructure and streaming services. It establishes a policy framework that allows the state to assess fees from companies providing streaming entertainment based on their gross revenues generated within the Commonwealth. The legislation also sets guidelines for how local governments can regulate the use of public spaces for these services while encouraging diverse content and fair competition. Additionally, it creates specific processes for the Department of Revenue to collect unpaid fees and fines from operators that do not comply with the new rules.

May 9, 2024 -- The committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 34) of Jason M. Lewis, Paul W. Mark, John J. Cronin, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a comprehensive statewide policy concerning streaming entertainment services and the recovery of municipal costs for the management and maintenance of digital infrastructure, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2771).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts health insurance laws to ensure that licensed athletic trainers receive reimbursement from insurers if the same services are covered for other healthcare providers. It directly affects individuals with health plans that include coverage for specific services within an athletic trainer's scope of practice, as well as the trainers themselves. The key provision requires insurers to pay for athletic trainer services without discrimination, provided the care is referred by a physician and falls within the trainer's authorized practice. While deductibles and co-pays may still apply, the bill mandates that these financial requirements cannot be more restrictive than those imposed on other similar healthcare services.