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H 5354

Study Order

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Directs a study on access and continuity of specialist and hospital care for Medicare-M Medicaid dual-eligibles, with findings and proposed legislation due by Dec 31, 2026.

Discharged to the committee on House Rules
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Bill Summary · H 5354

Summary: House Bill No. 5354 (194th Massachusetts General Court) – “Study Order”

Purpose and intent

  • This bill is an order directing the Committee on Public Health to investigate and study a related House document (No. 4226) concerning access to and continuity of care for specialized and hospital services for dually eligible individuals (those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid).
  • The committee is tasked with reporting the results of its investigation, any recommendations, and drafts of needed legislation to implement those recommendations.

Key provisions

  • Establishes the Public Health Committee as the body authorized to conduct the study during a General Court recess.
  • The study centers on access and continuity of care for specialized (specialist) and hospital services for dual-eligible individuals.
  • Requires the committee to prepare:
    • A report detailing findings from the investigation and study.
    • Any recommendations stemming from those findings.
    • Drafts of legislation that would be necessary to implement the recommendations.
  • Filing deadline: The report and drafts must be filed with the Clerk of the House on or before December 31, 2026.

Who/what would be affected

  • Dual-eligible individuals (Massachusetts residents who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid), particularly in relation to:
    • Access to specialist services.
    • Access to hospital services.
    • Continuity of care (consistency and appropriateness of ongoing medical care across providers and settings).
  • Providers (specialists and hospitals) and the broader health system may be affected indirectly through any recommended policy or legislative changes designed to improve access and continuity of care.

Procedural and timeline details

  • Type: Legislative study order rather than immediate statutory changes.
  • Oversight: Public Health Committee is authorized to conduct the investigation during a General Court recess.
  • Reporting timeline: By December 31, 2026, the committee must submit:
    • Results of the investigation.
    • Recommendations, if any.
    • Draft legislation needed to carry out the recommendations.
  • Post-report: The bill, with accompanying documents (House No. 4226), has been reported favorably by the committee and referred to Joint Rules, then discharged to House Rules for further action.

Additional context

  • The bill serves as a procedural step to gather evidence and craft targeted legislative measures to improve health care access and continuity for a vulnerable population.
  • No direct policy changes occur in this bill itself; instead, it sets the framework for an in-depth study and potential future legislation based on the study’s findings.

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

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