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H 1370

An Act relative to Massachusetts primary care for you

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 20 co-sponsors

Bill H 1370 mandates that Massachusetts allocate 10-20% of total health care spending to primary care by 2030, improving access and quality for residents.

Reporting date extended to Friday, July 31, 2026
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 1370

Summary of Bill H 1370: An Act Relative to Massachusetts Primary Care for You

Purpose and Intent

Bill H 1370 aims to enhance the primary care system in Massachusetts by establishing expenditure targets for primary care services. The legislation seeks to ensure that a specified percentage of total health care expenditures is allocated to primary care, thereby improving access and quality of care for residents.

Key Provisions

The bill introduces several significant amendments to Chapter 6D of the General Laws, including:

  1. Definitions:

    • Aggregate Primary Care Baseline Expenditures: Total primary care expenditures in the two years preceding the target year.
    • Aggregate Primary Care Expenditure Target: The target sum for primary care expenditures set by the commission for the applicable year.

  2. Expenditure Targets:

    • Establishes specific targets for primary care expenditures:
      • 10% of total health care expenditures for 2027
      • 12.5% for 2028
      • 15% for 2029
      • For 2030 and beyond, targets will range between 15% and 20%, subject to commission review.

  3. Public Hearings:

    • The commission is required to hold annual public hearings by October 1 to review health care expenditure growth and compare it to established benchmarks.

  4. Commission Responsibilities:

    • The commission will publish the expenditure targets and hold public hearings to assess compliance and performance of health care entities in meeting these targets.

Affected Parties

  • Health Care Providers: Hospitals, clinics, and individual practitioners will need to adjust their budgets and operations to meet the new expenditure targets.
  • Patients: Increased focus on primary care may improve access to services and overall health outcomes for Massachusetts residents.
  • Health Care Payers: Insurance companies and government payers will need to align their reimbursement models with the new expenditure targets.

Procedural Aspects

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Hearing Scheduled: May 12, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium.
  • Committee Review: The bill has been referred to the Health Care Financing Committee for further consideration.

Conclusion

Bill H 1370 represents a significant step towards strengthening primary care in Massachusetts by mandating specific expenditure targets. By focusing on primary care funding, the bill aims to enhance health care access and quality for all residents, while also ensuring accountability through public hearings and commission oversight.

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

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