Senator Friedman has sponsored the following bill relative to healthcare in the 2017-2018 legislative session:
SD2500 An Act to ensure greater transparency at the GIC
- Summary: This bill would require the GIC to refrain from executing an agreement or contract for insurance coverage or a health plan until 90 days after notice has been provided to the Legislature. This 90-day window would ensure the public has an adequate opportunity to provide input, as well as enable the Legislature to seek detailed information from the GIC regarding why and how specific decisions are made and the specific ramifications decisions may have on individual health plans.
Senator Friedman is taking the lead on the following bills that were originally filed by the late Senator Ken Donnelly at the start of the 2017-2018 legislative session:
S336 An Act relative to stabilizing the commonwealth’s nursing facilities
- Summary: This bill would make critical investments in the long-term care workforce and would seek to close the record high gap between Medicaid payments and the cost of providing quality care.
S518 An Act to require health care coverage for medically necessary treatment for certain students
- Summary: This bill would add medically necessary treatment for speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, disease, illness, injury, or bodily dysfunction, which are required by a student’s individual education program, individualized family service plan, individualized service plan or the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, to be covered by insurance.
S1192 An Act modernizing emergency medical services oversight
- Summary: This bill would modernize the services and oversight of emergency medical services.
Senator Friedman has co-sponsored the following bills relative to healthcare in the 2017-2018 legislative session:
S549 An Act advancing and expanding access to telemedicine services
- Summary: This bill would require insurance companies to cover the cost of telemedicine services and ensure that providers are reimbursed at comparable rates to in-person services.
- Summary: This bill would create a common application portal to let low income households apply for MassHealth and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at the same time.
S619 An Act establishing Medicare for all in Massachusetts
- Summary: This bill would create a single-payer health care system in Massachusetts.
S1225 An Act relative to end of life options
- Summary: This bill would affirm the right of mentally capable, terminally ill adult individuals to determine their own medical treatment options as they near the end of their life. Six other states have passed similar laws.