NOTE: This page lists bills from the previous legislative session. An updated list reflecting current bills from the 193rd General Court will soon be added to this page.

John is committed to smart health care policies that meet regional and community needs. This session, he has filed legislation that will continue to ensure people across the Commonwealth have access to the health care services they need.

S.606 – An Act promoting continuity of care for multiple sclerosis treatment

This legislation ensures individuals living with multiple sclerosis (MS) are not forced to give up beneficial disease modifying treatments they are already prescribed if a health insurer decides to change its formulary. MS is a chronic disease with no cure, so maintaining continuity of insurance coverage for proven medications is critical for these patients.

S.690 – An Act promoting workforce development and provider retention at community health centers

This bill would help Community Health Centers address one of their biggest challenges: hiring and retaining high quality providers in a low-cost setting. This legislation establishes a Post-Graduate Nurse Practitioner Residency Program at CHCs that would provide Nurse Practitioners with opportunities for additional training and experience with complex patient populations.

S.693 – An Act relative to hospital closures and health planning

This bill would strengthen and expand reporting requirements for hospitals that either plan on closing entirely or plan on ending an essential service, and links adherence to the closure process to license approval and receipt of state public health grants. These new requirements would ensure that important hospital services are not discontinued without a proper assessment of the potential impacts on the surrounding community. It would also improve our understanding of healthcare needs and excesses throughout the Commonwealth across 15 health planning regions.

S.53 – An Act updating terminology and investigative practices related to the protection of persons with disabilities

This bill updates the language governing the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) with the appropriate person-first language, replacing “disabled person” with “person with a disability” each time it appears in state statute. The bill also makes updates to streamline and enhance the work of the DPPC, an important commission tasked to protect adults with disabilities through investigation, oversight, public awareness, and prevention.

S.777 – An Act promoting workforce development and provider retention at community health centers

Community Health Centers have become an invaluable part of our state’s healthcare system, frequently treating our most vulnerable populations regardless of insurance or immigration status while also providing valuable training opportunities for those working to become certified nurse practitioners (NP). This bill would create a state-level NP residency program, increasing the number of these job opportunities in Massachusetts and allowing CHCs across the state to treat more patients.