Massachusetts H4954: An Act to increase enrollment in affordable health plan networks

What the bill says

From the introduced text, January 28, 2026:

SECTION 1. Subsection (a) of section 11 of chapter 176J of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following:- The commissioner may also exempt carriers from complying with this section based on (i) whether the majority of a carrier’s chapter 176J membership is enrolled in a single rate region; or (ii) whether the majority of the carrier’s chapter 176J membership is enrolled in subsidized coverage offered under chapter 176Q through which such members receive state or federal subsidies; or (iii) whether the carrier receives 80 per cent or more of its income from government programs, including subsidized coverage offered under chapter 176Q through which such members receive state or federal subsidies. SECTION 2. Section 9A of chapter 176O, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking subsection (a) and replacing it with the following:- "(a)(i) limits the ability of the carrier to introduce or modify a select network plan or tiered network plan by granting the health care provider a guaranteed right of participation; (ii) requires the carrier to place all members of a provider group, whether local practice groups or facilities, in the same tier of a tiered network plan; or (iii) requires the carrier to include all members of a provider group, whether local practice …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I) · primary sponsor
• David Robertson (D, 19th Middlesex)

Latest actions

1. July 9, 2026: Reporting date extended to Thursday, December 31, 2026
2. January 28, 2026: Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
3. January 28, 2026: New draft of H1298
4. January 28, 2026: Reported from the committee on Financial Services

Votes

• Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Financial Services (December 23, 2025): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is H4954?

H4954 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act to increase enrollment in affordable health plan networks.

What is the status of H4954?

In committee as of July 9, 2026. Latest action: Reporting date extended to Thursday, December 31, 2026 (July 9, 2026).

Who sponsored H4954?

Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I), with 1 co-sponsor.

Where is the official record for H4954?

On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4954