Massachusetts H1236: An Act directing the division of insurance to regularly report on the performance of the merged non-group and small-group health insurance markets

What the bill says

From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:

SECTION 1. Chapter 176J of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:- Section 18. (a) The division of insurance, in consultation with the commonwealth health connector authority and the center for health information and analysis, shall issue a comprehensive report at least once every 5 years on the performance of the merged non-group and small-group health insurance market. In the development of each 5 year report, the division may contract with an outside organization with expertise in fiscal analysis of the private insurance market. It shall be the responsibility of the division, in consultation with the commonwealth health insurance connector authority and the center for health information and analysis, to establish appropriate guidelines and assumptions regarding the health reforms authorized in this act prior to engaging an outside organization. Said organization shall study the continuing impact of merged non-group and small-group health insurance markets and make a report considering the impact on the uninsured, currently insured individuals, and employers in the commonwealth. (b) The study shall consider: (i) trends in premiums, cost-sharing, and actuarial value for plans in for individuals and small groups; (ii) characteristics of individuals in the merged market in contrast with characteristics of small group members, including, but not limited to, age, risk score, geography, gender, family size, industry and income; (iii) utilization …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• John Lawn (D) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. July 22, 2026: Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
2. July 9, 2026: Reporting date extended to Thursday, December 31, 2026
3. February 5, 2026: Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
4. October 15, 2025: Hearing scheduled for 10/27/2025 from 10:30 AM-04:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium
5. February 27, 2025: Senate concurred
6. February 27, 2025: Referred to the committee on Financial Services

Votes

• Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Health Care Financing (July 16, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Financial Services (January 23, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is H1236?

H1236 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act directing the division of insurance to regularly report on the performance of the merged non-group and small-group health insurance markets.

What is the status of H1236?

In committee as of July 22, 2026. Latest action: Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means (July 22, 2026).

Who sponsored H1236?

John Lawn (D).

Where is the official record for H1236?

On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1236