HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 998        FILED ON: 1/29/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 488

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

William C. Galvin

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to non-medical healthcare expenses related to prevention of COVID-19.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 998        FILED ON: 1/29/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 488

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act relative to non-medical healthcare expenses related to prevention of COVID-19.

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to protect patients from increased healthcare costs due to COVID-19, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 228 the following section:-

Section 228A. (a) No health care provider shall charge a patient for non-medical expenses related to prevention of the 2019 novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, including but not limited to: (1) personal protective equipment worn by a health care provider during a medical procedure or in-person visit and (2) increased cleaning and sterilization costs.

(b) The department shall promulgate regulations to implement this section.