summary
Introduced
06/18/2020
06/18/2020
In Committee
Crossed Over
06/25/2020
06/25/2020
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020
12/31/2020
Introduced Session
191st General Court
Bill Summary
SENATE, June 18, 2020 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means to whom was referred the Senate Bill advancing and expanding access to telemedicine services (Senate, No. 612) (also based on Senate, No. 596), - reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft entitled "An Act Putting Patients First" (Senate, No. 2769).
AI Summary
This bill, titled "Putting Patients First", aims to expand access to telemedicine services and make several changes to the regulation of healthcare practitioners in Massachusetts. Key provisions include:
- Establishing a process for the Health Policy Commission to recommend noncontracted commercial rates for emergency and non-emergency healthcare services provided by out-of-network providers. These rates would then be reviewed and implemented by the Division of Insurance.
- Requiring state health insurance programs and plans to cover healthcare services delivered via telehealth to the same extent as in-person services, with some limitations on relying solely on telehealth providers for network adequacy.
- Expanding the scope of practice for certain advanced practice nurses, including nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists, to allow them to independently order tests, prescribe medications, and provide other services.
- Establishing a new dental therapist profession with the ability to perform certain dental procedures under the supervision of a dentist.
- Making various other changes to the regulation of controlled substances, the scope of practice for optometrists, and requirements for healthcare provider price transparency.
Sponsors (33)
Mike Barrett (D),
Jennifer Benson (D),
Will Brownsberger (D),
Michelle Ciccolo (D),
Nick Collins (D),
Mike Connolly (D),
Brendan Crighton (D),
Julian Cyr (D),
Mike Day (D),
Sal DiDomenico (D),
Ryan Fattman (R),
Anne Gobi (D),
Pat Jehlen (D),
Brad Jones (R),
Mary Keefe (D),
John Keenan (D),
Kay Khan (D),
Jack Lewis (D),
Jason Lewis (D),
Joan Lovely (D),
Mark Montigny (D),
Mike Moore (D),
Matt Muratore (R),
Patrick O'Connor (R),
Elizabeth Poirier (R),
Angelo Puppolo (D),
Becca Rausch (D),
Mike Rush (D),
Tom Stanley (D),
Dean Tran (R),
Steve Ultrino (D),
Susannah Whipps (I),
Jon Zlotnik (D),
Other Sponsors (1)
Senate Committee on Ways and Means (S)
Last Action
Reprinted as amended, see S2796 (on 06/25/2020)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
Document Type | Source Location |
---|---|
State Bill Page | https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2769 |
Bill | https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2769.pdf |
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