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H 4345

Sigma Pi Fraternity's (Omega Psi Phi) 50th anniversary

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 122 co-sponsors

Requires insurers and state programs to cover hospital-grade, multi-user breast pumps and related services for mothers with infants in NICU or unable to breastfeed, within 24 hours

Introduced and adopted
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Bill Summary · H 4345

Summary — H 4345

Note on sources and scope
- The materials provided combine two distinct measures: (1) a Massachusetts bill titled "An Act improving access to breast pumps" (detailed statutory language for Chapters 32A, 118E, and 175), and (2) a separate South Carolina House resolution congratulating the Sigma Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi on its 50th anniversary (filed and adopted April 10, 2025).
- This summary focuses primarily on the Massachusetts statutory bill (the substantive legislative text labeled H 4345) and includes a brief note about the Sigma Pi resolution.

Main purpose and intent

  • Expand and standardize insurance coverage in Massachusetts for hospital‑grade, multi‑user (hospital-grade) breast pumps and related services and supplies for mothers whose newborn infants are in intensive/special care or who cannot directly breastfeed due to cardiac, neurological, or oral anomalies. The stated intent is to ensure timely access (within 24 hours of hospital discharge) and to cover necessary accessories and lactation consultant services.

Key provisions

  1. Definition of “multi‑user breast pump”

    • Specifies technical and performance criteria: capable of initiating/supporting milk supply; safe for multiple users (closed system); durable for heavy daily use (≈8+ expressions/day); long motor life; electric (not battery only); suction range 0–300 mmHg; multiphase/customizable vacuum and cycling.

  2. Coverage requirements (applied across three statutory contexts)

    • Chapter 32A (state Group Insurance Commission): GIC must cover rental/usage cost of a covered multi‑user pump for active/retired commonwealth employees insured under GIC when the infant is in NICU/special care or unable to directly breastfeed. Pump must be available within 24 hours after maternal hospital discharge.
    • Chapter 118E (MassHealth / Medicaid and contracted plans): Division and contracted insurers/plans/third‑party administrators must provide equivalent coverage for Medicaid enrollees and members of contracted plans.
    • Chapter 175 (commercial insurers and employer health/welfare funds): Commercial and employer plans must provide equivalent coverage for rental/usage for covered mothers during the period the infant is hospitalized or while the mother is pumping.

  3. Covered accessories and services

    • Periodic replacement parts (connectors, valves, tubing, backflow protectors, flanges, etc.).
    • Breast milk storage bags and microwave sterilizing bags for pump parts.
    • Lactation care: initial assessment, instruction and fitting by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), and ongoing assessment/support/refitting as needed.

  4. Timing and availability

    • Pumps must be made available to the mother within 24 hours of maternal hospital discharge.
    • Coverage duration: until infant discharge or until mother stops pumping.

Who is affected

  • Directly affected: mothers of newborns in intensive/special care nurseries in Massachusetts who are insured by the state GIC, MassHealth/Medicaid managed plans, or commercial/employer health plans subject to Massachusetts law.
  • Insurers and health plans operating in Massachusetts, the Group Insurance Commission, Medicaid managed care organizations, and employers who sponsor health/welfare funds will be required to provide the specified coverage.
  • Health care providers and IBCLCs (increased demand for lactation consulting services).

Procedural / timeline status

  • Draft and committee activity: bill text shows filing dated 7/25/2025 and committee reporting on 7/31/2025. The Financial Services committee reported the bill favorably and referred it to the committee on Health Care Financing. (A “new draft of H1317” and committee report are noted on 7/31/2025.)
  • Separately, a house resolution honoring the Sigma Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi (50th anniversary) was introduced and adopted on 04/10/2025 (South Carolina House resolution) — this is ceremonial and distinct from the Massachusetts statutory proposal.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Likely increases short‑term costs to insurers and state programs due to rental and accessory coverage and IBCLC services; potential long‑term public health and cost benefits from improved breastfeeding support for NICU and medically fragile infants (reduced infections, improved nutrition/health outcomes).
  • Clarifies technical standards for pump equipment (hospital‑grade / closed system), which may limit covered devices to commercially available hospital‑grade pumps and associated rental programs.

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

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