H 4608
An Act to improve access to health care for people with Long COVID
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- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill aims to improve healthcare access for individuals living with Long COVID in Massachusetts. It directs the Department of Public Health to create and implement a pilot program focused on patient navigation, designed to reduce barriers to care and provide support. The program will address both medical and social needs, including referrals, information, and connections to resources, while also studying associated diseases and promoting health equity.
Key provisions
- Establishment of a culturally-specific patient navigation pilot program.
- Focus on reducing barriers to timely and knowledgeable medical treatment for Long COVID patients.
- Provision of referrals for clinical and nonclinical support services.
- Integration of patient navigation within healthcare teams.
- Study of diseases associated with Long COVID, including myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Development of guidelines for standardized patient navigator care.
- Creation of a consumer advisory board composed of Long COVID patients and healthcare providers.
- Establishment of reimbursement for patient navigator services.
Who is affected
- People with Long COVID
- Healthcare providers
- Patients with chronic illnesses
- Massachusetts residents
Notable changes
- The bill mandates the development of a state-sponsored patient navigation program.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on Public Health
Cosponsors
Estela A. Reyes
Margaret R. Scarsdale
Marjorie C. Decker
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Bill H.4608 194th (Current)
An Act to improve access to health care for people with Long COVID
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Public Health Status: Referred to Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
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Bill History Cosponsors Committee Vote Committee Summary
Bill History
Displaying 5 actions for Bill H.4608
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 10/16/2025 | House | Reported from the committee on Public Health |
| 10/16/2025 | House | New draft of H2399 |
| 10/16/2025 | House | Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing |
| 12/8/2025 | House | Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026 |
| 3/19/2026 | House | Reporting date extended to Monday, June 15, 2026 |
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