Sen. Becca Rausch

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new public health insurance option in Massachusetts to provide an additional choice for individuals and small businesses seeking affordable coverage. It directs the existing Commonwealth Connector to offer this plan to eligible residents who do not have access to employer-sponsored insurance and to small groups with fewer than 51 employees. The legislation defines specific categories of people and organizations that qualify for the plan while excluding those with large employer coverage or other specific insurance types. By creating this new public plan, the bill aims to increase competition and stability in the state's health insurance market.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill ensures that individuals with mental health insurance can continue their treatment with a provider even if that provider is removed from the 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 or similar condition. Under the new rules, insurance carriers must cover these out-of-network visits at the same rate they pay for in-network services, without charging patients extra deductibles or copayments unless the specific cost of using an out-of-network provider is proven to be higher. The law also requires carriers to justify any increased costs to the state's health policy division before imposing higher fees on patients.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the amount of out-of-pocket health costs, such as deductibles and copayments, that employees and their families must pay under public health plans in Massachusetts. It sets a maximum annual limit of $2,500 for individual coverage and $5,000 for family coverage, ensuring that no enrollee pays more than these amounts for covered services. Additionally, the law requires public authorities offering health plans to align their cost-sharing features with the most affordable plans available in the state and creates a trust fund to handle any excess premium payments for future use.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill requires that social service and home care workers be paid at least 140 percent of the state's minimum wage. To make this possible, the state agency overseeing these programs must adjust the payment rates it gives to service providers to cover the increased labor costs. Before setting these new rates, the agency must hold public hearings to gather input from workers, employers, and community members, and it must investigate current wages and working conditions. The law also grants the agency the power to issue subpoenas to ensure witnesses and records are available during this investigation process.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows new state employees in Massachusetts to receive health insurance coverage starting on their first day of work, rather than waiting for a standard waiting period. It applies to all state employers who offer health benefits through the state's group insurance commission. To make this change official, the commission must work with finance officials to create and enforce new rules that put this immediate coverage into practice.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the maximum out-of-pocket costs for health insurance deductibles and copayments to $2,500 for individual coverage and $5,000 for family coverage. It specifically applies to active and retired employees, their dependents, and survivors of deceased employees, including those covered by municipal plans. The legislation also requires public authorities to ensure their plan designs do not exceed these limits and directs any unused premium funds to help pay for costs that go beyond the new caps.

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 modifies Massachusetts law to change how often pediatric care appointments can be scheduled. It directly affects parents and guardians of children in the state by removing the requirement that these appointments occur only once per year. The key provision amends the relevant statute to allow for appointments to be made once per calendar year instead of annually. This change aims to provide more flexibility for scheduling medical visits for children without restricting the frequency of care.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to establish a formal bill of rights for individuals experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts. It achieves this by repealing an existing law and adding new provisions to Chapter 214 that guarantee these individuals the right to be free from discrimination based on their housing status. The legislation explicitly defines "persons experiencing homelessness" to include those living in shelters, cars, parks, or other non-traditional settings, and grants them the right to use public spaces like parks and sidewalks without discrimination. By clarifying these definitions and protections, the bill seeks to ensure that people without fixed nighttime residences can access public areas on equal footing with others.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the minimum wage rates paid to care workers within Massachusetts social service programs. It achieves this by amending existing state laws to mandate higher payment standards for these specific employees. The change directly affects agencies and organizations that currently hire care workers under these programs, ensuring they receive enhanced compensation.