An Act to increase access to health transportation
Generates a plain-language summary of the bill text and history.
| Date | Branch | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 3/19/2026 | Senate | Reporting date extended to Friday July 31, 2026 |
| 6/16/2025 | Joint | Hearing rescheduled to 06/23/2025 from 09:00 AM-01:00 PM in B-1 |
| 6/16/2025 | Joint | |
| 2/27/2025 | House | House concurred |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Referred to the committee on Public Health |
No additional cosponsors.
Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
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.
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.