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HD 4024

Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution for a Constitutional right to health care

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Day

Massachusetts would codify a universal right to health care in the state constitution; future legislation would define its scope and funding while honoring clinician standards.

Senate concurred
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Bill Summary · HD 4024

Summary: MA HD 4024 — Constitutional Right to Health Care

Overview

HD 4024 proposes a constitutional amendment in Massachusetts to establish a universal right to health care for every inhabitant. The measure would require future implementing legislation to define and operationalize the right, while affirming the role and authority of medical professionals within established standards and regulations. The proposal is filed as a constitutional amendment and would go into effect only if approved by a future General Court in joint session and subsequently by voters at a state election.

What the bill would do

  • Establish a new constitutional right: “Each and every inhabitant of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a Right to Health Care.”
  • Subject the right to implementation through appropriate legislation by the Great and General Court (i.e., the legislature would define how the right is realized, funded, and regulated).
  • Commit to respecting the roles and decision-making of all medical professionals involved in patient care, in line with existing medical standards, laws, and regulations.

Key provisions

  • Article of Amendment 1: Declares the Right to Health Care for all inhabitants.
  • Article of Amendment 2: Requires appropriate legislative action by the General Court to implement the right and to ensure equality in its provision; affirms respect for clinical judgment and professional standards of physicians and other health-care personnel.

Affected parties and scope

  • Affected: All residents of Massachusetts (universal applicability within the Commonwealth) and medical professionals and health-care providers who deliver care.
  • Scope considerations: The bill does not specify funding or program design; these would be determined through future implementing legislation under the amendment.

Procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced: January 17, 2025 (House Docket No. 4024; House No. 64) by Representative Day (by request), petition filed by Vincent L. Dixon.
  • Senate status: Concurred on March 3, 2025; referred to the Committee on Health Care Financing.
  • Constitutional path: For adoption, the amendment must be similarly agreed to in a joint session of the next General Court and approved by voters at the next state election following that agreement.
  • Context: Similar matter previously filed in 2023-24 as House No. 27.

Notes and context

  • This is a foundational constitutional proposal; its practical impact depends on subsequent implementing legislation defining the scope of health care, funding mechanisms, eligibility, timelines, and regulatory standards.
  • The language emphasizes equality in access and adherence to professional medical standards, signaling potential emphasis on standard of care and provider practices in future policy design.

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

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