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SD 1810

An Act establishing an amputation prevention task force

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sal DiDomenico

Creates a multidisciplinary Amputation Prevention Task Force to reduce amputations, coordinate policy, improve access to evidence-based treatments, and raise awareness.

House concurred
0
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Bill Summary · SD 1810

Summary: An Act Establishing an Amputation Prevention Task Force (SD 1810)

Overview

  • Bill Number: SD 1810
  • Title: An Act establishing an amputation prevention task force
  • Status: House concurred (House action complete; Senate version incorporated)
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Filed: January 16, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 1810)
  • Primary Sponsor: Sen. Sal N. DiDomenico
  • Priority: Public Health

Purpose and intent

The bill creates an Amputation Prevention Task Force within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to study, coordinate, and advance policies and practices aimed at reducing amputations, with a focus on diabetic foot ulcers and peripheral arterial disease. The goal is to develop a cohesive, proactive approach that improves prevention, public awareness, and access to evidence-based treatments.

Key provisions

Section 1 — Establishment and governance

  • Establishes the Amputation Prevention Task Force under EOHHS.
  • The secretary (or designee) will chair the task force; the governor will appoint non-legislative members and must ensure diversity by gender, race, and geographic representation.
  • Composition includes:
    • Commissioner of the Department of Public Health (or designee)
    • Assistant Secretary for MassHealth (or designee)
    • 2 House members (appointed by the Speaker)
    • 2 Senate members (appointed by the Senate President)
    • 1 licensed endocrinologist
    • 1 licensed diabetes nurse educator
    • 1 vascular surgeon with amputation prevention expertise
    • 1 medical doctor or midlevel practitioner with amputation prevention expertise
    • 1 podiatrist with expertise in treating diabetic foot ulcers
    • 1 podiatrist or vascular surgeon with Veterans Affairs experience
    • 1 public health provider
    • 1 representative of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association
    • 1 member of the public
    • 1 representative of the American Diabetes Association
    • The task force may add members by majority vote.

Section 2 — Duties

The task force shall:
1. Advise the secretary and other state agencies on amputation-related issues, emphasizing prevention of diabetic foot ulcers and PAD.
2. Develop a systematic, cohesive approach to reducing amputations, including raising public awareness.
3. Recommend mechanisms to strengthen cooperation among stakeholders to address amputations in Massachusetts.
4. Propose policy solutions to the Legislature to improve access to treatments that prevent amputations, including:
- Coverage policies for treating diabetic foot ulcers (e.g., topical oxygen therapy)
- Ensuring timely and equitable access to evidence-based medical tools, technologies, and services
- Improving and incentivizing quality of care to prevent amputations
- Promoting collaboration among providers, payers, and patients
5. Publish a report and present findings to the Governor, the clerks of the House and Senate, and the chairs of the Joint Committees on Public Health, Health Care Financing, and Financial Services.

Reporting timeline

  • The task force must publish its report and present it by no later than September 1 of the year following enactment (i.e., the first September 1 after passage). This provides a concrete milestone for assessing prevention strategies and policy recommendations.

Who and what is affected

  • State agencies: Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Department of Public Health, MassHealth.
  • Healthcare providers: Endocrinologists, diabetes nurse educators, vascular surgeons, podiatrists, primary care doctors/midlevel practitioners.
  • Stakeholders and organizations: Massachusetts Senior Care Association, American Diabetes Association, public participants.
  • Diabetic patients and others at risk for diabetic foot ulcers and peripheral arterial disease.
  • State policymakers: The Legislature (via policy recommendations and potential legislation).

Procedural status and next steps

  • Referred to the Joint Committee on Public Health on February 27, 2025.
  • House action: Concurred (indicating agreement with Senate version or process to finalize).
  • Next steps (if enacted): Establishment of the task force, appointment of members, and formal initiation of duties; delivery of the initial report by September 1 following enactment.

Potential impact

  • Promotes a structured, multidisciplinary approach to preventing amputations.
  • Could influence coverage and access policies for treatments such as topical oxygen therapy and other proven interventions for diabetic foot ulcers.
  • Encourages collaboration among health departments, payers, clinicians, patient groups, and advocates.
  • Establishes a formal mechanism for state-level guidance and legislative advocacy focused on amputation prevention.

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

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