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Bill

S 866

An Act to protect medically fragile children

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Cindy Friedman and 3 co-sponsors

Massachusetts legislation establishes protections and support systems for medically fragile children, addressing healthcare access, insurance coverage, and family caregiver support needs.

Accompanied a study order, see S3038
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Bill Summary · S 866

Legislative bill overview

S. 866 aims to establish protections and support systems for medically fragile children in Massachusetts. The bill, currently in committee review, has bipartisan sponsorship and is scheduled for public hearing in July 2025. While specific statutory language isn't publicly detailed yet, bills with this title typically address healthcare access, insurance coverage, caregiver support, and specialized medical services for children with complex chronic conditions.

Why is this important

Medically fragile children require ongoing specialized care, medications, and equipment that can create significant financial and logistical burdens for families. Without adequate protections, these children may face gaps in coverage, difficulty accessing necessary treatments, or inadequate support for family caregivers. Establishing clear statutory protections can ensure consistent access to care across the state and reduce family hardship.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanisms – Whether the state or insurance companies bear cost increases, and how this affects healthcare premiums and state budgets
  • Definition scope – Disagreement over which conditions qualify as "medically fragile" and whether eligibility criteria are too narrow or too broad
  • Caregiver leave/support policies – Balancing employer obligations for medical leave against business operational concerns, and whether mandates are realistic for small employers

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

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