Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts S1613: An Act to increase access to health transportation
Status: Failed, August 20, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:
Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:- Section 245. A hospital or a home health agency shall provide access to health transportation for vulnerable patients, including geographically-isolated, low income, English language challenged, illiterate, having a disability, or elder adults struggling with dementia. As used in this section, the term “appointment companion” shall mean a person who, at the request of a patient, is provided through a hospital or home health agency that ensures a patient is taken to and from their appointments whether in a patient’s own transportation, public transportation or health care transportation. An appointment companion shall not be responsible for any costs that the patient accrues related to transportation. A hospital or a home health agency shall ensure an easier process and effective coordination to access to health transportation. Patient online accounts shall include a section to request transportation services for an appointment companion for vulnerable patients includes those in geographically-isolated, low income, English language challenged, illiterate, have a disability, or elder adults struggling with dementia. If a medical appointment for which a patient has requested transportation is scheduled, the request shall automatically transfer to future appointments. The department of public health shall promulgate regulations to implement this section.
Sponsors
- Jacob Oliveira (D) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Accompanied a study order (under JR10), see S3258
- : Reporting date extended to Friday July 31, 2026
- : Hearing rescheduled to 06/23/2025 from 09:00 AM-01:00 PM in B-1
- : House concurred
- : Referred to the committee on Public Health
Common questions
- What is S1613?
- S1613 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act to increase access to health transportation.
- What is the status of S1613?
- Failed as of August 20, 2026. Latest action: Accompanied a study order (under JR10), see S3258 (August 20, 2026).
- Who sponsored S1613?
- Jacob Oliveira (D).
- Where is the official record for S1613?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1613
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.