A former adolescent patient who waited years for an endometriosis diagnosis urged the Joint Committee on Financial Services to remove primary-care referral requirements for specialty gynecological care so patients can reach in‑network specialists directly.

Taylor Sprague, who said she was diagnosed with endometriosis at 14 and later became a legislative aide, described being dismissed in a primary-care visit and needing her mother’s persistence to obtain a referral to Boston Children's Hospital’s adolescent gynecology clinic. "Within five minutes of seeing the specialist...he was almost certain I had endometriosis," Sprague said. She and her co-sponsors drafted H.1168 and S.818 to allow patients to see an in‑network specialist for nonemergency specialty gynecological care without a PCP referral.

Supporters said the change is aimed at chronic, nonemergency conditions — such as endometriosis — where delayed specialist access can lead to years of suffering and higher long‑term costs. Sprague cited the commonly reported eight- to 10-year diagnostic delay for endometriosis and said removing referral barriers would improve access, reduce diagnostic delay and could lower follow-up costs.

The bill would not alter coverage for annual exams, maternity care or emergency treatment, witnesses said; rather, it removes a procedural barrier for specialty outpatient gynecologic care from an in‑network provider. Sprague urged the committee to report the bill favorably so that others would not have to "fight as hard" as she did to obtain timely specialty care.

No committee action was taken at the hearing.