Bill > S858

This bill directs the office of health resource planning to conduct a comprehensive assessment of pharmacy services across Massachusetts, specifically focusing on identifying and analyzing "pharmacy deserts" - areas with limited or no access to pharmacies. The assessment will define pharmacy deserts based on geographic, distance, and transportation criteria, such as pharmacies being more than 1 mile away in urban areas, more than 5 miles away in suburban areas, or more than 10 miles away in rural areas, and where travel time exceeds 15 minutes by car or 30 minutes by public transportation. By September 1, 2026, the office must submit a detailed report to various state entities, including an in-depth analysis of the impact of these pharmacy deserts on neighborhoods, patient populations, medication access, health care outcomes, and overall healthcare costs. The report will also examine geographical and financial barriers to obtaining medications, assess the role of pharmacy benefit managers in pharmacy closures, and provide policy recommendations to address and prevent pharmacy deserts in the commonwealth.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S858