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H 1371

An Act to support equal access to community care for elders and persons with disabilities

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Christine Barber and 14 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill to expand community-based care services for elderly and disabled residents, ensuring equitable access statewide while allowing individuals to age in place.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 1371

Legislative bill overview

H 1371 aims to expand and improve community-based care services for elderly residents and people with disabilities in Massachusetts, ensuring more equitable access to these services across the state. The bill was referred to the Health Care Financing Committee in February 2025 and is currently under review, with a reporting deadline extended to March 18, 2026.

Why is this important

Community care allows seniors and disabled individuals to receive support while remaining in their homes and communities rather than in institutional settings, which is typically preferred by recipients and often more cost-effective. Equal access provisions address disparities where rural areas, lower-income communities, or underserved regions may have limited availability of such services. This directly impacts quality of life, independence, and healthcare equity for a growing segment of Massachusetts' population.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanisms and costs: Expanding community care requires significant public investment; debates likely center on whether funding comes from new taxes, reallocation of existing budgets, or increased Medicaid/Medicare contributions
  • Service provider capacity: Whether there are sufficient trained caregivers and agencies available to deliver expanded services, or if implementation will face workforce shortages
  • Definition of "equal access": Disagreement over what constitutes adequate access (geographic distance to services, wait times, service types covered) and how to measure success across diverse communities

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

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