[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6193473,"mediaKeyId","3867054-d1759b096271ea4bc9f45748cc22fb88","parentId",3867054,"title","Senate adopts technical fix to allow pharmacists to provide PrEP and STI prevention services","audioSeconds",273,"startMs",3792000,"endMs",4065000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867054-d1759b096271ea4bc9f45748cc22fb88&start=3792&end=4065","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867054-d1759b096271ea4bc9f45748cc22fb88/thumbnail_3792000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6193473/Massachusetts/Senate-adopts-technical-fix-to-allow-pharmacists-to-provide-PrEP-and-STI-prevention-services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193473-b6662eab652277f332108fc69a341321/orig.mp4?Expires=1770768808&Signature=AnQHTHfRT6mYOxirRL2wpNegSKJTIRiEi52OswgwuB3emeeu2maZQroynntCgFTUs4Lqza9Ccujw6gvALvFV2z0rDfAe29NC8VJsO04YkODIDPGrUCehDKUoHGwlAx2ojgcvwRq6-lyV~yZU4fgjeb-OlwmGUeu9Aa7wntQZnzQ4X3laFAsmLS9PgEqGCd9qBLyQ2uls3CWc~InzNBK686TgAgiQMDwf5QLfBYVW8wCuTEsdA6jhAaFuNg-2qeBmV4ZiIO8t2WVuXaWdcg-RLu2HDSbqEjDLCS1vwK5f5-X0JwsBI4uBqgJyoJPDX4A-KMIYJKLAmkmoEesYxYxblQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Massachusetts Legislature","date","2025-06-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate voted to adopt Amendment 21, described on the floor as a technical correction to statutory language adopted in the FY2025 budget that authorizes pharmacists to prescribe, dispense and administer pre‑exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV and medications for STI prevention.

Senator Julian Cyr, who spoke in favor of the amendment, said the change was intended to “add some clarifying language, so the Department of Public Health can realize its letters of intent.” He framed the amendment as a public‑health measure to expand access to lifesaving prevention medications and reduce disparities in access to PrEP.

Senator Cyr cited CDC estimates of lifetime cost savings from prevented HIV infections and noted that community availability of PrEP has been linked to reduced HIV prevalence in localities that widely use the medication. He urged adoption as a cost‑effective public‑health intervention.

The clerk announced the voice vote and the chair stated “the ayes have it; amendment is adopted.” The transcript records floor appreciation of the amendment’s passage.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Session of June 18, 2025 (Part 1 of 2)","oneSentenceSummary","Senators adopted an amendment clarifying pharmacy authority to prescribe, dispense and administer pre‑exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV and other related prevention medications; sponsors said the change fixes language adopted earlier in the FY2025 budget.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MA, Massachusetts","taxId",77682,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6193478,"Senators debate changes to electric interconnection review for EV chargers and constructive approval timeline",584,3883000,4467000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867054-d1759b096271ea4bc9f45748cc22fb88&start=3883&end=4467","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867054-d1759b096271ea4bc9f45748cc22fb88/thumbnail_3883000.jpg","/articles/6193478/Massachusetts/Senators-debate-changes-to-electric-interconnection-review-for-EV-chargers-and-constructive-approval-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193478-0f33810cb7276659a90b7a39271f8cd7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770768808&Signature=HWBEaLDJ-dh79XHhdlRz9P-msonyDiqiIiqHf0tjDsYz1fqIwOwbrWckRir76iWOeC0k3FzmqHGR2psyJR1~aLsL6EKdGB8gO7uKJ6jYoc3CWxH6y1Cb-cULOept1xkAIlxu6u0JViMwygFv0AaK1jEfsFucEmBizR1n2t77V~MWbwm1aJVf7~hxieuIMXnUOJCc6A5Hj~w-nNbCuEBLgQUNuo7OjV2Yao0ZB903N1jIVlivCE7tfTxil9dwCNQLslfpgCPLEphLlZDb7aaxbe7czatV3hcLvU3qAj4q6O9XxxoWa78ATwTlguYpHaMzbklMelSjNUWe8vf2obDLSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A contested provision in the supplemental bill would extend the timeframe in which an electric distribution company application is deemed approved if the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) does not act from three months to six months. Senator Kelly A. Dooner argued the change would allow rate increases to take effect without full DPU review and “exposes ratepayers to higher, more unjustified cost increases.” She proposed removing the section from the bill.

Senator Michael Barrett and others opposed striking the provision. Barrett said extending to six months provides needed time for DPU engineering review and “queue management,” particularly to handle the growing demands that fast EV chargers would place on the grid. Barrett argued the proposal responds to practical interconnection planning and noted private developers and utilities are raising concerns about sufficient planning time.

Senator Schumer (asking questions on the record) and others pressed whether the constructive‑approval process could raise costs for ratepayers. Barrett responded that, in many cases, fast‑charger projects will be private business ventures that are financially supported by developer packages (for example, service plaza concessions alongside chargers) and that “the primary payment for the EV chargers is not going to go to the ratepayers at all” in many models. He said careful planning is required to avoid mis‑allocating costs.

Senators ordered recorded votes on amendments related to the electric infrastructure language; the floor debate emphasized the need to balance grid planning time, regulatory oversight and consumer protection. The transcript records extended discussion and multiple roll‑call entries; the chamber continued consideration of related amendments after the debate.","Senators debated a provision that would extend the Department of Public Utilities' constructive approval timeline from three to six months for certain electric distribution company interconnection applications tied to EV charging and grid upgrades, focusing on planning, queue management and potential ratepayer impacts.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6193483,"Senate narrowly debates reporting and distribution rules for $174 million to distressed hospitals",835,2210000,3045000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867054-d1759b096271ea4bc9f45748cc22fb88&start=2210&end=3045","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867054-d1759b096271ea4bc9f45748cc22fb88/thumbnail_2210000.jpg","/articles/6193483/Massachusetts/Senate-narrowly-debates-reporting-and-distribution-rules-for-174-million-to-distressed-hospitals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193483-8e9856795b8535afb646f2235e7e3c06/orig.mp4?Expires=1770768809&Signature=JzxBw0rnPLkKvb3oJxWftjW2G-EyK-ZvRYjLJ3r2QdmsafvCaswfqQQ1-Wu~anryZRt~4AoZ9~n2d-zEEUsxiil1AClniOhpYPw-1LospEM-AE5MgaQvdPiyZYzRsmxLDxs~K5v0mjfkFbQLhc9waBKvh0AdVrBpJjUJXcY65mhM5ZXvjcOryWkUIKLLjuRmXvmuWD6qs6VdA8ClLVAm-~yQ-us-aH9FNzG6V6uEWEx0eHwZ3MQA3R1fVmeEeOorHsDLHc7Yql3mzHUQ-zH7jYJiEa1POK~7wwo~oCrQtiVK1DcbAx-YKa9Q3ipigzvqK5mz24Oc4UNGm7jAOBa6oQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators spent a substantial portion of floor time discussing a $174,000,000 allocation in the supplemental FY2025 bill intended to support distressed hospitals across the Commonwealth.

Senator Brendan Ta said the funding is “indisputable” in its necessity but raised concerns about the distribution formula and urged improved accounting. He proposed adding language to reporting requirements that would require hospitals to report unrecovered debt and receivables so the Legislature could understand underlying shortfalls and the effect of factors such as migrant‑related costs and discrepancies between charges and reimbursements.

Senator Ta described the amendment as an “absolutely critical” accountability measure, and Senator Charles moved for a recorded roll call on the provision. Senator Ta argued that the amendment would provide “very basic information” to inform current spending and future decisions; Senator Rogers and others countered that the funds represent expenditures already incurred by Disproportionate Share hospitals and that some of the requested data is available through CHIA (Center for Health Information and Analysis).

The Senate ordered the roll call; the clerk recorded votes over an extended period. The result announced on the floor was 5 members in the affirmative and 34 in the negative. The amendment to require hospitals to report unrecovered debt and receivables was not adopted.

Senators on the floor continued to debate distribution metrics, acknowledging the urgency of hospital financial distress while disagreeing about the appropriate level of reporting and oversight tied to the aid.","Senators debated how $174 million earmarked for distressed hospitals should be distributed and whether recipients should be required to report unrecovered debt and receivables; an amendment to add that reporting requirement failed on a recorded roll call.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6193489,"Senate advances $532 million supplemental budget covering hospitals, home care and other shortfalls",330,402000,732000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867054-d1759b096271ea4bc9f45748cc22fb88&start=402&end=732","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867054-d1759b096271ea4bc9f45748cc22fb88/thumbnail_402000.jpg","/articles/6193489/Massachusetts/Senate-advances-532-million-supplemental-budget-covering-hospitals-home-care-and-other-shortfalls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193489-2c0678abd6be9ae54f6005db1147aa52/orig.mp4?Expires=1770768809&Signature=LD78~qjHgz7xzqhwG~PyxrHJld2kHoYi4WTL8hACkqL6iMt5-uszhsZ90M~EDHoFjhHBqWKPJn68di1qt~osWzXTl4knhOBM1LnqaNG38tleIL3U~5sE7ar29tICGge3Q6qA8FbzoLkDoR2zfsJWi0CwMNcIg-c6tM-QsHJWCPWZ2Ak~k7EMVz4k9baD6D1RIP4tw9ewtWvI-Kp5q5-EaqqxBGm1JdIktNJwtWJUuhDNxn6EmKz~SSBAyuukTgfp8LHtqw~L2x~TLMOME4MaCdXbdVO7yf7bpTmwcsL94l1CS4venRU2XAzv55qCeXNbJsCpISEWScJ4LjlvONjvCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Massachusetts State Senate spent several hours debating a supplemental budget for fiscal 2025 that Senate Ways and Means Chair Senator Michael J. Rodriguez described as a roughly $532,000,000 package intended to “pay the bills and fund deficient accounts across state government.”

The supplemental bill, first filed by Governor Healy in April and amended by the Senate, includes a $134,000,000 transfer to the Medical Assistance Trust Fund; $60,000,000 for home care services; $43,000,000 for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT); $29,000,000 for settlements and judgments; $15,500,000 to secure EBT food benefit cards by transitioning to chip cards; and $10,000,000 for extraordinary emergency medical services costs, including $5,000,000 aimed at communities affected by the closure of Nashoba Valley Medical Center.

Senator Michael J. Rodriguez said the package also dedicates $209,000,000 in total to fiscally strained hospitals and community health centers, including $174,000,000 specifically aimed at hospitals via a tiered payment structure “focused on disproportionate share hospitals.” He told colleagues the tiered structure targets hospitals with the “highest need” and those that serve “disproportionately low income populations.”

The supplemental budget contains additional technical and implementation language, including commission extensions and ratification of collective bargaining agreements, and more than 60 amendments were filed for consideration. Senator Rodriguez described a provision creating a task force to study Health Safety Net sustainability and hospital funding.

Senator John (minority leader) and others pressed for clarity on funding sources and fiscal impacts. Chair Rodriguez answered that the money primarily comes from the General Fund, chiefly the transitional escrow account, and that “there will be very little, if any, left in the transitional escrow account” if the bill is adopted in its present form. Senate Ways and Means staff reported that FY2025 year‑to‑date actual tax collections were about $2,000,000,000 above estimates but that “that $2,000,000,000 is almost entirely comprised of non‑withheld income, i.e., capital gains and fair share surtax revenue.”

Senators repeatedly emphasized that parts of the package respond to time‑sensitive fiscal needs for hospitals, community health centers and emergency medical services. Multiple amendments were debated and either adopted, withdrawn, or rejected on the floor. Several public‑health and procurement measures were also offered as amendments during the session.

Provisions discussed on the floor and changes proposed in amendments will be subject to additional votes and committee follow‑up as the Senate continues consideration of the bill and its subsidiary items.","The Massachusetts Senate considered a supplemental FY2025 spending bill that funds a range of deficits across state government, including major allocations for the Medical Assistance Trust Fund, home care, community health centers and hospitals; multiple amendments were considered at length.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate adopts technical fix to allow pharmacists to provide PrEP and STI prevention services

Senators debate changes to electric interconnection review for EV chargers and constructive approval timeline

Senate narrowly debates reporting and distribution rules for $174 million to distressed hospitals

Senate advances $532 million supplemental budget covering hospitals, home care and other shortfalls