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HD 2240

An Act relative to substance use disorder evaluations

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kim Ferguson and 4 co-sponsors

Bill standardizes substance use disorder evaluations across Massachusetts healthcare settings to improve diagnostic consistency and treatment outcomes.

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Bill Summary · HD 2240

Legislative bill overview

HD 2240 establishes new requirements for substance use disorder (SUD) evaluations in Massachusetts, likely standardizing assessment protocols and expanding access to diagnostic services. The bill appears designed to improve consistency in how individuals are evaluated for substance use disorders across different healthcare settings and providers.

Why is this important

Standardized SUD evaluations can improve treatment matching, reduce disparities in diagnosis, and help ensure patients receive appropriate levels of care. This addresses a real gap where evaluation quality and scope vary significantly across healthcare systems, potentially affecting treatment outcomes and recovery rates.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and provider burden: Implementing standardized evaluation protocols may require training, new documentation systems, and time investments that could increase healthcare costs or strain already-limited SUD treatment capacity
  • Scope of evaluation authority: Disagreement may exist over which providers can conduct evaluations (physicians only vs. nurse practitioners, physician assistants, counselors) and what credentials are necessary
  • Insurance coverage and access: Questions about whether evaluations will be adequately reimbursed and whether standardization might exclude vulnerable populations who lack access to comprehensive evaluations

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

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