HEALTH CARE REFORM
CHAPTER 58 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
First-in-the-nation health care reform law makes affordable, quality insurance accessible to 95% of the state’s 500,000 uninsured residents within three years; Landmark law based on House principle of shared responsibility requires individuals, businesses and government to participate in remedy for skyrocketing costs and growing number of uninsured; Reforms promise to significantly lower insurance costs for working families and individuals

GIVING SENIORS GREATER LONG TERM CARE CHOICES
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE
Redirects Medicaid spending to give more seniors and people with disabilities option of receiving care at home and in the community; Moving to preferred, cost effective settings will save state taxpayers $134 million in first five years and create greater awareness of community-based alternatives

GENETIC PRIVACY ACT
CHAPTER 147 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
Protects Commonwealth’s citizens by prohibiting insurance providers from discriminating against prospective policy holders based upon genetic testing results

PHARMACY ACCESS
CHAPTER 172 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Public health measure allows over the counter sales of hypodermic needles in effort to dramatically reduce the transmission of AIDS and Hepatitis C and bring Massachusetts in line with 47 other states that have passed similar laws

CAREGIVER REGISTRY
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE
New statewide registry of personal care attendants will expand access to quality home care, allowing more seniors and people with disabilities to maintain their independence in setting where they’re most comfortable; Directs consumer council to oversee management of directory, create backup system of qualified caregivers and recruit and train personal care attendants

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION
CHAPTER 91 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
Law allows for timely access to emergency contraception by requiring hospitals to offer medication to rape victims and permitting pharmacists to dispense the medication in consultation with a physician

LICENSING OF GENETIC COUNSELORS
CHAPTER 170 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
New registration and licensing requirements for genetic counselors guarantees appropriate state oversight and patient protections in emerging medical field

IMPROVING HOSPITAL PATIENT SAFETY
H.4988 – ENGROSSED BY THE HOUSE
House approved bill ensures a baseline level of quality care for hospital patients by directing the Department of Public Health to study nursing care in the Commonwealth in effort to establish safe nurse staffing standards; Measure also invests more resources in the state’s nursing workforce

BLADDER CANCER SCREENING PROGRAM
H.1636 – ENGROSSED BY THE HOUSE
Acknowledging that occupational exposure to hazardous materials makes professional and volunteer firefighters more prone to incidences of bladder cancer, legislation directs Department of Public Health to provide testing & screening and conduct educational program to encourage awareness and prevention

SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINERS (SANE)
H.878 – ENGROSSED BY THE HOUSE
Ensures that all SANE operations are consistent and professionally sound by establishing a uniform standard of training and standardized method for collecting forensic evidence, providing care to sexual assault victims and guaranteeing that every effort is made to bring sexual perpetrators to justice; Establishes an advisory board to provide oversight and review future SANE operations changes
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