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H 545

An Act relative to MassHealth reimbursement to schools

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michelle Badger and 6 co-sponsors

H.545 increases MassHealth reimbursement rates to schools for health services provided to eligible students, strengthening school-based care funding.

Reporting date extended to Friday, July 31, 2026
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Bill Summary · H 545

Legislative bill overview

H.545 modifies how Massachusetts Medicaid (MassHealth) reimburses schools for health services provided to eligible students. The bill adjusts reimbursement rates and/or mechanisms to ensure schools are adequately compensated for delivering covered medical services to MassHealth-enrolled children during the school day.

Why is this important

Schools increasingly provide essential health services—including nursing care, mental health support, and medical treatments—to students, many of whom are insured through MassHealth. Reimbursement rates directly affect schools' ability to fund school-based health programs without depleting education budgets, potentially impacting service availability and quality across districts.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact on MassHealth budget: Increased reimbursement rates could raise state Medicaid expenditures, requiring either budget reallocation or identification of new funding sources
  • Implementation variability: Schools of different sizes and resources may experience disparate benefits; rural or under-resourced districts may struggle to access higher reimbursement rates
  • Scope definition: Disagreement over which services qualify for reimbursement and at what rates, balancing school operational needs against sustainable public health spending

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

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