SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2389        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Robyn K. Kennedy

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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 the creation of an Endometriosis Task Force.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2389        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act relative to the creation of an Endometriosis Task Force.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 6A of the General Laws shall be amended by adding after section 16FF the following new section:-

Section 16GG. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the executive office of health and human services shall establish an endometriosis task force. The task force shall consist of: the secretary of the executive office of health and human services or a designee, who shall serve as chair; the commissioner of the department of public health or a designee; the commissioner of insurance or a designee; the director of Medicaid or a designee; and 7 persons to be appointed by the secretary of the executive office of health and human services, 2 of whom shall be representatives from the Massachusetts Medical Society Alliance, Inc. appointed in consultation with their relevant specialty chapters, 1 of whom shall be a representative from the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, Inc., 1 of whom shall be a representative from commercial health insurance plans or managed care organizations doing business in the commonwealth, 1 of whom shall be an individual with a diagnosis of endometriosis, 1 of whom shall be a representative of a pharmaceutical company that manufactures a drug or device for detecting, preventing or treating endometriosis and 1 of whom shall be a representative of a research, advocacy or support organization primarily serving individuals with a diagnosis of endometriosis.

(b) The task force shall: (i) develop and annually update a summary of the advances made in research on and treatment and diagnosis of endometriosis; (ii) develop and annually update a summary of the advances made in access to care for individuals with a diagnosis of endometriosis; (iii) monitor endometriosis research, services and support activities across the commonwealth, including coordination of the commonwealth's activities and programs with respect to endometriosis; (iv) develop and annually update a comprehensive strategic plan to improve health outcomes for individuals with a diagnosis of endometriosis, including recommendations to: (1) advance research on endometriosis; (2) improve public awareness and recognition of endometriosis; (3) improve health care delivery for individuals with a diagnosis of endometriosis; (4) improve the early and accurate diagnosis of endometriosis; and (5) systematically advance the full spectrum of biomedical research on endometriosis; and (v) develop and annually update the progress made in implementing such comprehensive strategic plan.

(c) The task force shall submit its recommendations to the governor and the clerks of the house of representatives and senate annually not later than December 31 of each year.