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Bill

HD 2117

An Act advancing health care research and decision-making centered on patients and people with disabilities

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Marjorie Decker

Massachusetts bill requires patient and disability perspectives to guide health care research and clinical decision-making protocols statewide.

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Bill Summary · HD 2117

Legislative bill overview

HD 2117 establishes requirements for health care research and clinical decision-making to prioritize the perspectives and needs of patients and people with disabilities. The bill likely mandates inclusion of these groups in research design, data interpretation, and evidence-based medicine protocols. It centers on ensuring that medical research and treatment guidelines reflect the lived experiences of affected populations rather than expert perspectives alone.

Why is this important

Medical research has historically excluded or marginalized people with disabilities, leading to treatments and guidelines that may not address their specific health needs or may inadvertently harm them. By centering patient and disability perspectives in research and decision-making, the bill aims to improve health outcomes for these populations and reduce disparities in care quality. This represents a shift toward participatory medicine where affected communities have agency in shaping the evidence that guides their treatment.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Requiring meaningful inclusion of patients and disability advocates in research design and clinical committees may increase project timelines and expenses for researchers and health systems
  • Scientific methodology concerns: Some stakeholders may argue that prioritizing patient perspectives could compromise traditional research rigor or introduce bias, particularly in randomized controlled trials
  • Scope and enforcement: Ambiguity about which research and decisions fall under the bill's mandate, and how compliance will be monitored and enforced across diverse healthcare institutions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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