Malden Delegation Supports Passage of Bill to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

BOSTON (January 14, 2025) —State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Paul Donato, Steve Ultrino, and Kate Lipper-Garabedian joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to pass comprehensive reforms to lower the cost of prescription drugs at the pharmacy counter and improve oversight of the state’s pharmaceutical industry.

An Act relative to pharmaceutical access, costs, and transparency takes bold action to lower or eliminate out-of-pocket costs and ensure access to life-saving medications by requiring health insurers to offer price relief for prescription drugs used to treat diabetes, asthma, and certain heart conditions. This bill further brings down costs by ensuring that consumers are not charged a cost-sharing amount, such as a co-pay, if it would be cheaper for them to purchase the drug without using their insurance. Approximately 9% of Massachusetts residents have diagnosed diabetes; 6% of adults over 35 have heart disease; and more than 10% of residents live with asthma. This bill is particularly critical for residents of color, who disproportionately face chronic illnesses. Over 12% of Black residents live with diabetes and nearly 14% of Black adults live with asthma.

“Working to expand access to quality, affordable healthcare has always been one of my top priorities in the legislature,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “I’m proud to support this critical legislation that makes life-saving drugs more affordable and accessible for patients, and holds pharmaceutical companies, insurers, and pharmacy benefit managers more accountable for their actions.”

“This legislation marks Massachusetts as a leader in addressing the rising costs of prescription medications,” said State Representative Paul Donato. “This bill emphasizes greater transparency in pricing and allows consumers to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. It also shows the legislature’s continued commitment to reducing costs and improving the quality of healthcare in the Commonwealth.”

“With this legislation, we take a significant step forward in making healthcare more accessible to all. By passing this bill to lower prescription drug costs, we are ensuring that no one has to sacrifice their health due to unaffordable medications,“ said State Representative Steven Ultrino. “This is a win for all who have felt the strain of rising drug prices. We will continue to work to create a healthcare system that prioritizes the well-being of our communities.”

“Too often, patients are forced to pay exorbitant costs for prescription drug medications,” said State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian. “I was proud to join my colleagues to support this legislation to reduce copays, cover generic drug prescription costs, and ensure increased oversight and regulations of Pharmacy Benefit Managers. This bill furthers the Commonwealth’s commitment to ensuring healthcare is affordable, accessible, and equitable for all of our residents.”

Key provisions of this legislation include:

● Lowering consumer prescription drug costs for diabetes, asthma, and certain heart conditions by requiring insurers to eliminate cost-sharing requirements for one generic drug and to cap co-payments on one brand-name drug at $25 per 30-day supply.

● Increasing oversight of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) by authorizing the state Division of Insurance to license and regulate PBMs, which play a major role in determining how prescription drugs are tiered and priced on insurance plans.

● Establishing the Office for Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis within the Health Policy Commission (HPC) to analyze trends and publish an annual report with recommendations for strategies to promote affordability, enhance medication access, and mitigate pharmaceutical spending growth.

● Requiring pharmaceutical manufacturers and PBMs to provide public testimony on the factors that influence drug costs and allowing these factors to be taken into account by the HPC to identify how to improve care and reduce costs for patients.

After final passage in both the House and Representatives and the Senate, Governor Maura Healey signed the bill into law on January 8, 2025.

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Press Contact:

Hannah Li

Office of State Representative Steve Ultrino

Hannah.Li@MAHouse.gov

Malden Delegation Helps Pass Bill to Combat Substance Use Disorder

BOSTON (January 8, 2024) —State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Paul Donato, Steve Ultrino, and Kate Lipper-Garabedian joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to pass legislation that will combat the opioid crisis and support residents living with substance use disorder (SUD).

An Act relative to treatments and coverage for substance use disorder and recovery coach licensure expands non-opioid pain treatments, establishes licensing for recovery coaches, and supports pregnant women and their children who have been exposed to substances.

It will greatly expand access to opioid-reversal drugs like naloxone. In 2023, 2,125 lives were lost as a result of an overdose, 232 fewer than in 2022, according to the Department of Public Health (DPH). Since 2023, naloxone has reversed more than 10,000 overdoses in Massachusetts.

“The devastating impacts of substance use disorder cause immeasurable pain to families, friends, and neighbors in our communities, especially for those who have lost loved ones,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “This new law will help more people along their journey to recovery and save many lives.”

“This recovery bill represents a monumental step in ensuring that people with substance use disorders have access to comprehensive treatment and recovery support,” said State Representative Paul Donato. “By establishing licensure for recovery coaches, we are certifying a workforce to assist individuals on their path towards recovery.”

“This law is a powerful step forward in our fight against the opioid crisis,” said State Representative Steven Ultrino. “By expanding access to treatment, supporting recovery, and providing the resources necessary for long-term success, we are giving individuals the opportunity to reclaim their lives and rebuild stronger, healthier communities for all. "

“I was glad to join the Legislature to enact this timely piece of legislation to address our state's ongoing opioid epidemic,” said State Representative Lipper-Garabedian. “Too many families have lost loved ones to addiction. With critical provisions aimed at expanding access to resources like reversal drugs and recovery coaches and protections for our public health and harm reduction workers, this bill will save lives.”

Key provisions of the legislation include:

● Mandating that all health insurance plans cover opioid reversal drugs such as naloxone and Narcan—without cost-sharing or prior authorization.

● Educating patients with a history of opioid use about reversal drugs by requiring hospitals and substance use treatment facilities to teach patients about opioid reversal drugs and to prescribe or dispense at least two doses to at-risk patients upon discharge.

● Requiring pharmacies to maintain a sufficient supply of opioid reversal drugs in areas with high incidences of overdoses.

● Establishing recovery coach licensure under the DPH and requiring health insurance plans to cover recovery coach services.

● Expanding access to non-opioid pain treatments by incorporating non-opioid alternatives into provider training and updating insurance provider requirements to ensure inclusion of non-opioid treatments.

● Boosting anti-discrimination protections for people with SUD by clarifying DPH’s authority to enforce anti-discrimination protections and prohibiting discrimination against those lawfully possessing or taking medication for opioid-related SUD treatment.

● Promoting the recovery of pregnant women on medications for substance use disorder by clarifying that encountering a substance-exposed newborn does not trigger an automatic referral to the Department of Children and Families, and directing the department to lead the creation of regulations related to care, treatment, and reporting of substance-exposed newborns.

● Protecting public health and harm reduction organizations from professional disciplinary action or civil or criminal liability if they are providing drug checking services in good faith, and shielding individuals from criminal liability when seeking treatment from such organizations to help detect and protect against deadly contaminants that are increasingly found in the drug supply.

● Prohibiting life insurance companies from limiting or refusing coverage to a person solely because they obtained an opioid-reversal drug, and restricting medical malpractice insurers from discriminating against health care practitioners who provide harm reduction services. After final passage in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Governor Maura Healey signed the bill into law on December 23, 2024.

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Press Contact:

Hannah Li

Office of State Representative Steve Ultrino

Hannah.Li@MAHouse.gov

Malden Delegation Helps Pass Comprehensive Climate Action Legislation

BOSTON (December 3, 2024) —State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Paul Donato, Steve Ultrino, and Kate Lipper-Garabedian joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to pass sweeping climate legislation to meet the climate crisis head-on and accelerate progress towards the state’s goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

An Act Promoting a Clean Energy Grid, Advancing Equity, and Protecting Ratepayers simplifies clean energy infrastructure permitting, protects residents from high energy costs, expands the electric vehicle (EV) charging network, and incentivizes innovative technologies such as battery storage, fusion energy, advanced metering and meter socket adapters.

“Massachusetts is a national and global leader in combating climate change and shifting to clean, renewable energy like solar and offshore wind,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “This robust legislation builds upon our previous legislative efforts in order to accelerate the building of clean energy infrastructure, advance innovation in climate technology, create quality green jobs, and help protect ratepayers from high energy costs.”

“With the passage of this climate legislation, we take a large step toward a more sustainable and equitable future,” said State Representative Paul Donato. “This legislation is a landmark achievement that will not only accelerate our transition to renewable energy but also ensure that the benefits of this transition are shared by all. By fostering innovation, creating jobs, and addressing the climate crisis, we are securing a more resilient energy future for the Commonwealth.”

“With the passage of this comprehensive climate legislation, Massachusetts continues to lead in clean energy and move closer towards our goal of net zero emissions by 2050,” said State Representative Steven Ultrino. “This legislation includes a wide range of policies that will help grow our economy, create jobs, and ensure a sustainable future for our Commonwealth.”

“As a member of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, I was glad to join the Legislature in passing this critical legislation to meet State climate goals, while protecting residents from high energy costs,” said State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian. “By consolidating State permitting for clean energy projects, establishing an Office of Environmental Justice, and advancing solar energy and electric vehicles, among other provisions, this bill ensures that Massachusetts is positioned to reach zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”

Key provisions of this climate legislation include:

● Expediting the siting and permitting of clean energy infrastructure projects by requiring that large projects that need state, regional, and local permits be consolidated into a single permit that requires action within 15 months, and that small projects with multiple local permits be consolidated into a single permit with action within 12 months.

● Enhancing community review of clean energy project permitting by establishing the Office of Environmental Justice and Equity, the Office of Public Participation at the Energy Facilities Siting Board, and the Division of Siting and Permitting at the Department of Energy Resources, to ensure a robust, thorough and community-centered review of all projects.

● Protecting residents from high energy costs by directing utility providers to offer lower rates to low- and middle-income consumers and incentivizing utility companies to expand the use of climate- and cost-friendly infrastructure.

● Extending the “Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles” (MOR-EV) program through 2027, which gives residents $3,500-$6,000 for the purchase of new or used electric vehicles.

● Expanding the availability of EV charging stations by centralizing the statewide coordination of charger installation via the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Coordinating Council, directing the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to make it easier to install pole-mounted chargers that often are used in parking spots and on streets, and removing EV charger installation restrictions for residents who own parcels within condominiums, homeowner associations, and historic districts.

● Making it easier for cities and towns to procure electric school buses and EV charging equipment for their municipalities.

● Supporting offshore wind development by expanding existing tax credits for offshore wind facility employers, increasing the maximum of 20 year terms for offshore wind contracts up to 30 years, and directing the Department of Energy Resources to review the effectiveness of existing contracts and issue guidance on long-term power purchase agreements between offshore wind developers and municipalities, including approved aggregation plans.

● Continuing the deployment of solar energy through expanding affordability and access for low-income customers to utilize the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program, updating historic district laws, providing policy recommendations through a solar canopy working group, and requiring DPU to explore expanding access to net crediting.

● Strengthening efficient grid management and improved resiliency with advanced metering infrastructure, including smart meters, communications networks and data management systems to help use devices more efficiently and provide real-time data to the grid.

● Decarbonizing more buildings by authorizing condo association boards to install energy efficiency devices and EV chargers in common areas and increasing the efficiency of heat pumps by allowing installers to use the most up-to-date refrigerants.

● Supporting carbon removal innovation by expanding the mission of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) to include carbon removal, embodied carbon reduction, and nuclear power. MassCEC would also be directed to promote carbon removal and embodied carbon activities, and study opportunities for future carbon removal.

● Supporting fusion energy and battery storage by becoming the first state in the nation to add fusion energy to the list of Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Class I renewable energy generating sources, positioning the Commonwealth to be in a strategically beneficial position as fusion energy becomes commercially viable.

● Leading by example by directing state government to analyze its own climate impacts and how state infrastructure, including state buildings and Massport, can be more climate friendly.

After final passage in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Governor Maura Healey signed the bill into law on November 22, 2024.

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Press Contact:

Hannah Li

Office of State Representative Steve Ultrino

Hannah.Li@MAHouse.gov