Public Health

The Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Health considers matters regarding the public health of the commonwealth and other matters as referred. As its new name suggests, MHA and our members have an increasing focus on maintaining individuals’ health throughout their lives – as opposed to healing them when they fall ill. MHA is actively involved in matters of public health policy and legislation.
05.14.2018  | House Bill Sets Strict Limits on Tobacco
The Massachusetts House last week passed a bill by a vote of 146-4 that would raise the legal age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21.
05.07.2018  | Nurses Decry Ratio Bill at State House Hearing
Last Monday, April 30, approximately 180 opponents of government-mandated nurse staffing ratios attended a hearing on ratio legislation before the Joint Committee on Public Health.
05.07.2018  | Cost of Ratios: $1.3 Billion in First Year
An independent study of mandated nurse staffing ratios found that the proposed ballot question will conservatively cost the state’s healthcare system $1.31 billion in the first year, and $900 million annually thereafter.
04.30.2018  | Nurse Staffing Debate Turns to Beacon Hill Today
The Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Health holds a hearing today at 1 p.m. on the ballot question to impose mandatory RN staffing ratios.
12.19.2017  | HB1143 / SB1199 An Act Relative to the Closing of Hospital Essential Services
HB1143 / SB1199 An Act Relative to the Closing of Hospital Essential Services
12.19.2017  | HB1144/SB1167 An Act Relative to Safe Patient Handling in Certain Health Facilities
HB1144/SB1167 An Act Relative to Safe Patient Handling in Certain Health Facilities
12.19.2017  | SB1174 etal Omnibus Healthcare Facilities Testimony
SB1174, HB1181/SB1183, SB1269, HB1136, HB1137, HB1207, HB3250, SB1248, SB1270, HB1175, HB1197, SB1230, HB2441, HB2477, HB3514, SB1212, SB1234 Healthcare Facilities
12.05.2017  | HB3239 An Act to Improve Access to and Reporting of Pharmacy Services in Hospitals
HB3239 An Act to Improve Access to and Reporting of Pharmacy Services in Hospitals
11.28.2017  | HB1162, HB1219, SB1265 Emergency Medical Services; Vital Records; Disposition of Remains
HB1162, HB1219, SB1265 Emergency Medical Services; Vital Records; Disposition of Remains
11.07.2017  | SB1193 An Act Relative to Emergency and Disaster Planning For Healthcare Providers
SB1193 An Act Relative to Emergency and Disaster Planning For Healthcare Providers
11.07.2017  | HB2451/SB1257 etal Professional Licensure and Scope of Practice
HB2451/SB1257, HB2437, SB1210, HB2457/SB1266, HB2443, HB578/SB549, HB2446, SB1261 Professional Licensure & Scope of Practice
10.24.2017  | HB1184 etal Patient Safety and Quality; Workforce Development
HB1184, HB2434/SB1244, HB578/SB549, HB2439, HB3230, HB2436, HB3236/SB1221, HB3227, HB3515, SB1246 Patient Safety and Quality; Workforce Development
10.24.2017  | HB2469 / SB1214 Prescription Information and Overdose Reporting for Care Coordination
HB2469 / SB1214 An Act to Enhance Access to Prescription Information and Overdose Reporting for Care Coordination
09.18.2017  | Bringing Good Dental Care to Underserved Areas
The Joint Committee on Public Health on Tuesday heard testimony on a bill that would create a new level of dental practice – Advance Dental Hygiene Practitioners (ADHP).
09.12.2017  | MHA statement regarding legislation to authorize Advance Dental Hygiene Practitioners
MHA statement regarding legislation to authorize Advance Dental Hygiene Practitioners
07.25.2017  | HB2466, HB2467 Tobacco and Agencies
HB2466, HB2467 Tobacco and Agencies
07.24.2017  | Transitions in State Government
The following legislative and administration re-assignments this past week affect the healthcare community.
06.27.2017  | HB2442/SB2137, HB3226/SB1245, HB3240, HB1200/SB1224, SB1264
HB2442/SB2137, HB3226/SB1245, HB3240, HB1200/SB1224, SB1264 Disease Prevention, Screening and Mandated Benefit
06.26.2017  | Legislature Considering Sugary Drinks Tax
MHA – joining with the Massachusetts Health Council, the Boston Foundation and the American Heart / American Stroke Association – testified before the Joint Committee on Revenue in strong support of a tiered excise tax proposal on sugary drinks.
05.22.2017  | CONTINUING THE FIGHT AGAINST TEEN TOBACCO USE
Dr. Lynda Young, president of Tobacco Free Mass and former president of the Massachusetts Medical Society, testified with Chris Lathan, M.D., a medical oncologist from Dana Farber Cancer Institute in support of legislation that would raise the legal

Resources

Click on the links below to see The Massachusetts Behavioral Health System Report: Implications of Mandated Nurse Staffing Ratios (August 2018).


Click on the links below for easy access to important information related to state healthcare issues and advocacy.
Visit the Commonwealth of Massachusetts websites below to find information on legislative hearings and other meetings of interest to the healthcare community.
To guide your navigation of the legislative process and assist your advocacy efforts, please visit the following state websites:
MHA has also developed the following documents for your information and benefit: