This bill seeks to improve digital access, increase tech literacy, streamline licensing to help access clinicians, address language barriers, and remove health insurer prior authorization for telehealth services.

This bill directs the Health Policy Commission (HPC) to establish two programs: Digital Bridge Pilot Program and a Digital Health Navigator Tech Literacy Pilot Program to support expanded access to telehealth technologies and technological literacy.

It establishes two task forces—one, to study interstate licensure of physicians and two, to study interstate licensure of advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants and behavioral and allied health professions.

It also prohibits insurers from imposing prior authorization requirements on medically necessary telehealth visits that would not apply to in-person visits, and it further requires insurers to cover interpreter services for patients with limited English proficiency and for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Further, it expands the definition of chronic disease management covered by telehealth services to include COVID-19 and its long-term symptoms as well as additional children’s chronic diseases whose treatment is covered under Medicaid, among several other provisions.

This proposed bill in Massachusetts focuses on regulating the sale and dispensation of hearing aids, specifically targeting practices involving physicians and audiologists. It amends Section 73 of chapter 93 to prevent physicians from selling hearing aids or having financial stakes in businesses selling them, especially if they've provided related services to the consumer. Notable exceptions are made for otolaryngologists and nonprofit or charitable organizations that dispense hearing aids through licensed audiologists or hearing instrument specialists. The bill mandates that audiologists or otolaryngologists disclose their fees, furnish a written estimate of total costs, including accessories, and inform consumers about their right to purchase hearing aids from alternative sources. In addition, modifications to Section 200 of chapter 112 allow audiologists or hearing instrument specialists to sell hearing aids when affiliated with or employed by an otolaryngologist. It also stipulates that violations of sections 197 to 199 are treated as infractions under chapter 93A, which pertains to consumer protection laws. The aim of the bill is to ensure transparency, prevent conflicts of interest, and safeguard consumer rights in acquiring hearing aids.

This bill seeks to ensure equitable access to healthcare resources during crises by amending chapter 151B of the General Laws to remove discriminatory practices against individuals with disabilities. It replaces the term "handicap" with "disability" and adds a provision that prohibits public and private entities from developing emergency healthcare plans that prioritize individuals based on assumptions about disability-related quality of life. The bill makes it unlawful to deny or deprioritize lifesaving treatment for individuals based on their disability or chronic health conditions, though it permits consideration of short-term survival prospects in treatment prioritization. Additionally, the bill bars the use of life valuation metrics that diminish the perceived benefit of treatments for individuals with disabilities. It prohibits hospitals and healthcare providers from tying treatment decisions to the existence of do-not-resuscitate orders or advance directives and disallows discrimination on these grounds, while permitting the unbiased provision of information about advance directives. Finally, the bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue regulations to enforce these provisions within 60 days of the bill's enactment. 

This bill would require that reimbursement of costs for medically appropriate Evaluation and Management (E&M) services in outpatient settings be part of a basic benefits package offered by insurers. It would also ensure that these services would not be subject to cost sharing through deductibles or co-pays.

Further, it would expand the types of care exempted from cost sharing to include outpatient E&M services. These services constitute a relatively low fraction of total health care services, and therefore, requiring that they not be subject to cost sharing would not present undue burden for payers, and would protect patients’ access to high-value care.

This bill seeks to ensure equitable access to healthcare resources during crises by amending chapter 151B of the General Laws to remove discriminatory practices against individuals with disabilities. It replaces the term "handicap" with "disability" and adds a provision that prohibits public and private entities from developing emergency healthcare plans that prioritize individuals based on assumptions about disability-related quality of life. The bill makes it unlawful to deny or deprioritize lifesaving treatment for individuals based on their disability or chronic health conditions, though it permits consideration of short-term survival prospects in treatment prioritization. Additionally, the bill bars the use of life valuation metrics that diminish the perceived benefit of treatments for individuals with disabilities. It prohibits hospitals and healthcare providers from tying treatment decisions to the existence of do-not-resuscitate orders or advance directives and disallows discrimination on these grounds, while permitting the unbiased provision of information about advance directives. Finally, the bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue regulations to enforce these provisions within 60 days of the bill's enactment. 

This bill requires the Department of Public Health to conduct an in-depth review and generate a comprehensive report on the variants of the apolipoprotein L1 (APOL 1) gene associated with a higher risk of end-stage renal disease. The report must include strategies to increase awareness regarding APOL 1, emphasizing the promotion of screening and genetic testing. Furthermore, it should provide an analysis of strategies and explore potential funding opportunities to enhance the availability and implementation of APOL 1 screening and genetic testing across the commonwealth. The report should also address any other relevant information or concerns identified by the department. The Department of Public Health is mandated to submit the final report to the clerks of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Joint Committee on Public Health by December 31, 2026. 

This bill aims to address indoor air pollution and mold contamination across a range of environments, including schools, long-term care facilities, correctional facilities, early childhood education centers, public housing, and private residences. It establishes a task force responsible for creating a statutory and regulatory framework to manage these issues effectively. This task force will comprise members from the state's Department of Public Health, Department of Environmental Protection, and Department of Housing, along with appointed experts and representatives from relevant sectors such as environmental justice and community health. The task force is charged with identifying potential funding sources for its strategies, initiating its work within 30 days of the bill's passage, and delivering a final report with recommendations within one year. This report will be preceded by a draft made available for public review and comment 30 days prior to its release. Moreover, the bill mandates the Department of Public Health, in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Protection, to develop regulations for indoor air quality assessments. These regulations will focus on monitoring ultrafine particulate matter and black carbon concentrations, acknowledging the current scientific understanding of the health risks they pose. The regulations will include standard procedures for assessments and public reporting methodologies for pollution management. The completion deadline for these regulations is set for December 31, 2026. 

The proposed bill in Massachusetts aims to bolster Alzheimer’s disease and dementia awareness, data collection, and care coordination. It directs the Department of Public Health to launch a public awareness campaign focused on brain health and dementia, targeting at-risk and diverse communities to promote early detection and caregiving resources. The bill also mandates biannual reports on the Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map to assess progress, while integrating dementia-related questions in annual behavioral health surveys for better cognitive health data analysis. The legislation establishes a Director of Dementia Care and Coordination within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, responsible for executing the Alzheimer's Disease State Plan and enhancing service access and caregiver training. It requires MassHealth to incorporate Dementia Care Coordination services in Senior Care Options and One Care plans for members diagnosed with dementia. Training programs will be developed for law enforcement, state police, firefighters, and EMS personnel to improve their interactions with individuals living with dementia, with a specific focus on communication, behavioral management, and local caregiving resources. Healthcare providers will also be required to participate in updated dementia training programs that emphasize dementia-focused patient management, supportive environments, and safe discharge protocols. The bill further updates existing legislation to enhance patient and caregiver engagement rights in hospitals, ensuring that dementia care considerations are integrated within current healthcare frameworks.