An Act relative to a CHIA analysis of co-pays for mental and behavioral health services

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Adam Scanlon

Directs CHIA to study effects of eliminating or capping mental/behavioral health co-pays, examining financial, access, outcomes, and socio-economic impacts to guide policy.

Reporting date extended to Friday, July 31, 2026

Summary: H. 4770 — An Act relative to a CHIA analysis of co-pays for mental and behavioral health services

Purpose and intent

This bill directs the Massachusetts Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the effects of eliminating or capping co-pays for mental and behavioral health services. The goal is to assess potential impacts across multiple dimensions to inform policy decisions.

Key provisions

CHIA shall conduct an analysis of the effects of eliminating or capping co-pays for mental and behavioral health services.

The analysis should consider a broad set of outcomes, including but not limited to:

premiums and deductibles
access to mental and behavioral health services
utilization of these services
mental and behavioral health outcomes
socio-economic outcomes, including:
academic outcomes
economic outcomes (employment, income, housing)
disciplinary outcomes (school-based discipline or criminal justice system-based discipline)

Scope of analysis

The bill explicitly requires CHIA to examine both financial impacts (premiums, deductibles) and social/behavioral impacts (access, utilization, health outcomes, and downstream socio-economic and disciplinary effects). The inclusion of academic, employment, housing, and discipline-related outcomes indicates a broad, equity-focused lens.

Affected parties

Insurers and health plans operating in Massachusetts

Mental and behavioral health providers

Patients and families paying co-pays for services

Employers and policymakers evaluating health coverage costs

Educational institutions and youth/families affected by discipline outcomes

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: October 23, 2025

House action: Filed October 20, 2025 (HD 5269 related/replaces)

Current status: Senate concurred on November 19, 2025

Legislative pathway: Initial referral to House Rules, then to Health Care Financing; Senate concurrence indicates the bill is moving through the legislative process, with final disposition dependent on ongoing actions in both chambers.

Related legislation

Related Bill: HD 5269 (replaces)

This bill’s text emphasizes an analytic study by CHIA rather than immediate regulatory changes, pending the findings of the analysis.

Bottom line

H. 4770 would empower CHIA to assess the potential consequences of eliminating or capping co-pays for mental and behavioral health services, across financial, clinical, and socio-economic dimensions, to guide data-driven policy decisions in Massachusetts.