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H 2220

An Act relative to access to psychiatric collaborative care

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michelle Badger and 4 co-sponsors

H.2220 expands psychiatric collaborative care in Massachusetts primary care settings, integrating mental health specialists with general practitioners to improve treatment access and patient outcomes.

Accompanied a new draft, see H5230
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Bill Summary · H 2220

Legislative bill overview

H.2220 establishes or expands access to psychiatric collaborative care in Massachusetts, a model where primary care physicians work alongside mental health specialists and care coordinators to treat patients with psychiatric conditions. The bill likely aims to improve mental health outcomes by integrating behavioral health services into routine medical settings rather than requiring separate specialist visits.

Why is this important

Mental health disorders are extremely common but often go untreated in primary care settings due to lack of coordination, stigma, and access barriers. Collaborative care models have demonstrated effectiveness in clinical research for improving treatment adherence, reducing hospitalizations, and lowering overall healthcare costs while expanding mental health services in underserved areas.

Potential points of contention

  • Reimbursement and funding: Unclear whether the bill adequately funds these programs or creates unfunded mandates for healthcare providers and practices
  • Scope of practice and oversight: Questions about which mental health professionals can participate, licensing requirements, and regulatory oversight of collaborative arrangements
  • Implementation burden: Small practices or rural providers may struggle with the infrastructure and staffing requirements to establish collaborative care teams

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

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