Sen. Mike Moore

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 requires that community health centers in Massachusetts receive reimbursement for patient services using a specific payment method known as a prospective payment system. The legislation mandates that this payment methodology must align with federal standards established in the United States Code as of January 1, 2023. By amending state laws regarding insurance and health care financing, the bill ensures that both public programs and private insurers reimburse these centers in a standardized way. The primary goal is to create consistency in how these health centers are paid for the care they provide.

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 prohibits health insurance carriers in Massachusetts from forcing patients to switch to cheaper alternative drugs if their current prescription is medically stable and was prescribed within the last six months. It specifically bans insurers from increasing costs, reducing coverage limits, or moving covered medications to more restrictive tiers during open enrollment or after a plan year begins. The law requires that coverage for these approved medications continue through the end of the patient's eligibility period unless the drug's safety is questioned by the FDA or its manufacturer.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to protect homeowners in Massachusetts from unfair practices by local tax lien collectors. It establishes a fixed $30 fee for municipalities to record tax lien documents and requires that the sale of tax receivables be conducted through a public bidding process that evaluates offerors based on price, experience, and licensing status. Additionally, the legislation mandates that buyers must notify taxpayers within 12 business days of purchasing a lien, providing clear, multilingual information about the sale, redemption rights, and legal consequences in plain language.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts insurance laws to clarify how health insurers must calculate an enrollee's out-of-pocket spending toward deductibles and annual cost-sharing limits. It requires insurers to count any payments made by the enrollee or on their behalf, such as those from family members or employers, when determining these financial thresholds. The legislation also mandates that any cost-sharing reductions be applied immediately to lower the enrollee's total out-of-pocket expenses. These rules will apply to health plans entered into, amended, extended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024.

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 requires state agencies to increase funding for human services organizations to close the pay gap between these workers and comparable state employees. The law mandates that the reimbursement gap be reduced by 50% by July 2024, 30% by July 2025, 10% by July 2026, and fully eliminated by July 2027. All additional funds received must be used to raise the salaries of the workers who provide care and support services. The legislation also directs relevant agencies to create a report on improving recruitment and retention for these employees by January 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires various health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover mental health and substance use services provided by licensed community behavioral health centers. Specifically, it mandates that group insurance for state employees, individual accident and sickness policies, hospital service plans, and medical service agreements must offer these services on a non-discriminatory basis. The law defines the covered services as evaluations, diagnoses, treatments, and care coordination delivered at a flat rate per visit. By including these centers in the list of covered providers, the legislation aims to ensure broader access to behavioral health care for individuals enrolled in these different types of insurance plans.