Massachusetts policymakers continue to debate health care reform proposals with important implications for industry stakeholders. This month the Senate passed sweeping health care reform legislation, a special commission held a listening session to hear public testimony on medication switching, and Governor Charlie Baker filed legislation containing a new set of proposals targeting the state’s opioid addiction crisis. This alert provides a summary of these developments.

Senate Passes Comprehensive Health Care Legislation -

On November 9th the Senate passed comprehensive health care legislation (SB 2202) that includes a broad set of reforms to the state’s health insurance market. The bill passed on a 33-6 vote after two days of debate with all six Senate Republicans voting no. The bill closely resembles the legislation Senate leaders released on October 17.