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SD 3990

MassHealth FY26 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Program (PMHNP) Report

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Establishes a FY26 MassHealth PMHNP Fellowship to train and fund psychiatric nurse practitioners, expanding access to mental health care for MassHealth members.

Placed on file
0
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Bill Summary · SD 3990

Overview

SD 3990 (Session 194th, Massachusetts) establishes a MassHealth FY26 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Program (PMHNP Fellowship). The bill appears to be a report-related measure, with an action history noting it was “Placed on file” on June 11, 2026. The summary below reflects the stated purpose, key provisions, affected entities, and timeline considerations based on the bill title and status.

Purpose and intent

  • Create and fund a fellowship program within MassHealth to support psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs).
  • Address workforce needs in behavioral health by expanding access to PMHNP services for MassHealth members.
  • Support specialty training, mentorship, and hands-on experience in psychiatric-mental health care within the MassHealth system.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment of the PMHNP Fellowship Program for fiscal year 2026 (FY26) within MassHealth.
  • Target population: MassHealth members requiring psychiatric and mental health services who would benefit from enhanced access to PMHNP care.
  • Program components likely to include:
    • Fellowship placement for newly trained or early-career PMHNPs within MassHealth-affiliated settings (e.g., community behavioral health agencies, outpatient clinics, or integrated care sites).
    • Structured supervision, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
    • Potential emphasis on underserved or high-need geographic areas to improve access and reduce wait times.
  • Funding and appropriation mechanics: The bill would authorize or appropriate funds for the FY26 PMHNP Fellowship, specifying how dollars are allocated (e.g., stipends, salaries, training costs, and administrative support).
  • Reporting and accountability: The measure may require reporting on program outcomes, participant recruitment, retention, utilization by MassHealth members, and cost-effectiveness.

Who would be affected

  • PMHNPs: Individuals participating in the fellowship, including those in training or early career stages who will receive funding, supervision, and structured clinical experiences.
  • MassHealth members: Beneficiaries receiving psychiatric and mental health services from PMHNPs participating in the program, potentially increasing access and reducing delays.
  • Health care providers and facilities: MassHealth-contracted clinics, community-based organizations, and hospitals involved in hosting fellows and delivering care.
  • MassHealth administration: Responsible for administering the fellowship, oversight, evaluation, and reporting.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Status: Placed on file as of June 11, 2026. This typically indicates the bill has been reviewed or reported out of a committee or subcommittee but not enacted.
  • Fiscal year focus: The program is tied to FY26 funding, suggesting implementation beginning in fiscal year 2026.
  • Next steps (if pursuing enactment): Potential further committee consideration, amendments, and floor action to secure authorization and funding.

Potential impact

  • Access to psychiatric services for MassHealth members could improve due to increased PMHNP availability.
  • Short-term costs associated with stipends, salaries, training, and administrative support, offset by anticipated improvements in care access and potential downstream cost savings from earlier and more accessible mental health interventions.
  • Workforce development benefits by supporting PMHNPs in early career stages and fostering retention within MassHealth-affiliated care settings.

If you have the full text or specific sections of the bill, I can provide a point-by-point provision-by-provision analysis and extract exact funding levels, eligibility criteria, and reporting requirements.

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

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