Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers Applauds Governor Healey’s Signing of Key Health Care Bills

Boston, MA — The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers (Mass League) today praised Governor Maura Healey for signing into law two important health care bills.

“Massachusetts took another significant step this week with the signing of the PACT Act and the Oversight Bill, advancing our work around health care access and affordability, which ultimately addresses health equity,” said Michael Curry, President and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers.

Key provisions of the bills include:

– An act relative to pharmaceutical access, costs, and transparency (PACT Act), which will help track pharmaceutical pricing and affordability and also assist patients’ access to critical medications by requiring health insurers to cover one generic drug to treat diabetes, asthma, and two of the most prevalent heart conditions at no cost to the patient. They must also provide coverage of one brand name drug, not subject to any deductible or co-insurance, and cap insulin co-payments at $25 per 30-day supply.

– An act enhancing the market review process, which creates a Primary Care Payment and Delivery Task Force, which will make recommendations to improve primary care access, delivery, and financial stability. The act also creates a new advisory committee that will establish standards for a quality measure set to be utilized in negotiations between providers and payers.

“On behalf of health centers in the Commonwealth”, said Curry, “we appreciate the work of the Healey-Driscoll administration and the Massachusetts House and Senate in reaching a compromise on these two historic and consequential pieces of legislation.”

The Mass League extends its deepest gratitude to Chair Friedman, Chairman Lawn, as well as Senate President Spilka and Speaker Mariano for their leadership and to the many stakeholders and advocates who worked to pass these important bills. The Mass League looks forward to continued partnership with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, MassHealth, and other state partners on the implementation of these new laws to continue to improve access to care and health outcomes for Massachusetts residents.

For more information, please contact: 

Shade Cronan, SVP of Development and External Affairs, Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers 
Email: scronan@massleague.org 
Phone: 973-879-8923