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Bill

SD 2233

An Act to improve patient access to non-emergency medical transportation

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Feeney

Massachusetts bill expands non-emergency medical transportation access for patients facing barriers to healthcare appointments, targeting improved access for vulnerable populations.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 2233

Legislative bill overview

SD 2233 establishes or expands non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) services for patients in Massachusetts who need to travel to medical appointments but lack reliable transportation. The bill aims to ensure vulnerable populations—elderly, disabled, and low-income residents—can access necessary healthcare without transportation barriers.

Why is this important

Transportation is a documented barrier to healthcare access; patients who cannot reliably reach appointments experience worse health outcomes and higher emergency room use. Improving NEMT reduces no-shows at critical medical visits and potentially decreases overall healthcare costs while addressing health equity gaps in underserved communities.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding mechanism: The bill's fiscal impact and whether funding comes from general revenue, Medicaid, or healthcare provider contributions remains unclear without full text
  • Service scope and eligibility: Definitions of "non-emergency" and which patient populations qualify could determine whether coverage is broad or narrowly targeted
  • Implementation responsibility: Whether existing NEMT providers expand services or whether new infrastructure/contracts are required affects feasibility and timeline
  • Geographic coverage: Rural versus urban service availability and whether all regions receive equal access to funded transportation

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

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