Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official source posted by the Massachusetts General Court, fetched 2026-07-15. Nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
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.
Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.