Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H4553: An Act requiring coverage of medically necessary oral and dental care for head and neck cancer survivor
Status: In committee, April 15, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, September 29, 2025:
SECTION 1. Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 17Z the following section:- Section 17AA. Any coverage offered by the commission to an active or retired employee of the commonwealth insured under the group insurance commission shall provide coverage for: (a) necessary pre-cancer dental care, including preventative and restorative treatment to the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity, fluoride treatments and trays, and medically necessary dental procedures, to reduce or eliminate the risk of infection or to treat tooth decay or tooth loss in enrollees. (b) dental care that is required prior to the commencement of treatment for head and neck cancer including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy, and radiation therapy. (c) post cancer necessary dental care, including preventative dental phophylaxis’, scaling and root planing, quarterly cleanings, bi-annual assessments by a periodontist, fluoride treatments including trays, and medically necessary dental procedures to reduce or eliminate the risk of infection; or to treat tooth loss or decay directly or indirectly caused by head and neck cancer treatment. (d) dental procedures required as a result of treatments for head and neck cancer including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy, and radiation therapy (e) laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, evaluations, examinations, and rehabilitation necessary for head and …
Sponsors
- Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I) · primary sponsor
- Michael Moore (D, Second Worcester)
- Hannah Kane (R, 11th Worcester)
- Sean Reid (D)
- Adam Scanlon (D, 14th Bristol)
- Sean Garballey (D, 23rd Middlesex)
- Barry Finegold (D)
- Lindsay Sabadosa (D, 1st Hampshire)
- Kathleen LaNatra (D, 12th Plymouth)
- Michelle DuBois (D, 10th Plymouth)
- Gregory Schwartz (D)
- Michelle Badger (D)
Latest actions
- : Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
- : Reporting date extended to Monday, June 15, 2026
- : Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026
- : Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
- : New draft of H1258
- : Reported from the committee on Financial Services
Votes
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Health Care Financing (April 9, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Financial Services (September 19, 2025): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H4553?
- H4553 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act requiring coverage of medically necessary oral and dental care for head and neck cancer survivor.
- What is the status of H4553?
- In committee as of April 15, 2026. Latest action: Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means (April 15, 2026).
- Who sponsored H4553?
- Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H4553?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4553
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.