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SD 978

An Act to combat V.I.P. syndrome to protect health care integrity and quality

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mark Montigny

Prohibits granting VIP or wealth-based favoritism in health care and requires prompt reporting of violations, with penalties up to $5,000 per incident and whistleblower protections

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 978

Comprehensive Summary: Bill SD 978 — An Act to combat V.I.P. syndrome to protect health care integrity and quality

Overview

SD 978 is a proposed Massachusetts act introduced February 27, 2025 by Senator Mark C. Montigny. The measure adds a new section (Section 53I) to Chapter 111 of the General Laws to curb “VIP syndrome” in health care—the improper yielding to requests from patients with wealth, status, or close relationships to providers. The bill progressed to a House concurrence.

Purpose and intent

  • To prevent health care providers from knowingly or intentionally violating department rules at the direct request of a patient, caregiver, or other interested person.
  • To prohibit giving any patient preferential status unrelated to medical diagnosis, treatment, or care based on socio-economic status or direct relationship with the provider.
  • To promote accountability, integrity, and quality in health care by ensuring swift reporting of violations and imposing penalties for noncompliance.

Key Provisions (inserted as Section 53I of Chapter 111)

  • (a) Prohibition on violations: Providers may not knowingly violate department rules under direct request by a patient or related party. Violations must be documented and reported to the department within 72 hours. Penalties include fines up to $5,000 per violation or complaint to the relevant board of registration. Failure to report can trigger penalties up to $50,000 per violation.
  • (b) Prohibition on special status: Providers may not designate or confer any special status to a patient based on socio-economic status or relationship to the provider. Penalties may include fines up to $5,000 per violation.
  • (c) Penalty authority: Penalties under Section 53I do not preclude the department from assessing other fees for violations under the chapter.
  • (d) Reporter protections: Persons reporting violations are protected from retaliatory action per section 187 of Chapter 149.
  • (e) Regulatory authority: The commissioner may promulgate regulations to enforce Section 53I.

Who is affected

  • Health care providers subject to Chapter 111 and its regulatory framework.
  • Departments and boards responsible for enforcement (e.g., the department and licensing boards).
  • Patients, caregivers, and other individuals who might request VIP-related accommodations.

Enforcement, penalties, and remedies

  • Violations can result in monetary penalties up to $5,000 per violation.
  • Severe non-reporting can incur up to $50,000 per violation.
  • Penalties may be coupled with board actions and other fees under the chapter.
  • Protected whistleblower protections for reporters.

Procedural and timeline details

  • Reporting requirement: 72 hours to document and report violations.
  • Regulatory implementation: The commissioner can issue regulations to enforce the new section.
  • Legislative history: Referred to the Public Health committee on 2/27/2025; subsequently House concurred.

Status and next steps

  • Status: House concurred.
  • Next steps typically include any potential conference actions, final passage, and any rulemaking to implement the section if enacted.

This summary distills the bill’s core purpose, key obligations, penalties, and who/what is affected, along with the procedural milestones and enforcement framework.

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

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