Massachusetts legislators have been hard at work this session, claiming to have achieved "historic work." However, a significant amount of it remains unfinished. With just weeks until a new legislative class arrives on January 1, Democratic leaders are facing the challenge of reaching deals on several high-profile bills before the year ends. There are proposals aimed at helping those in recovery from addiction, residents struggling to get prescriptions, and people with disabilities, all stuck in closed-door talks or stalled in the chambers.

Unfinished Bills and Legislative Challenges in Massachusetts

Opioid Package and Safe Consumption Sites

Legislators are having productive talks over a sweeping opioid package. This package may or may not include a proposal allowing for safe consumption sites. The issue of opioid addiction is a critical one in Massachusetts, and reaching a consensus on these measures is crucial. Safe consumption sites have been a topic of much debate, with advocates arguing for their potential to save lives while opponents raise concerns about their impact. The negotiations over this aspect of the opioid package are ongoing, and the outcome remains uncertain.There are also concerns about the regulation of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). These middlemen in the health industry have been accused of driving up drug prices. Former governor Jane Swift has pushed lawmakers to regulate PBMs, highlighting the need for accountability. The proposal to subject PBMs to a new licensure requirement is part of the larger effort to address the issue of drug pricing. However, well-heeled lobbyists may impede progress during the closed-door conference committee discussions.

Wheelchair Repairs and Legislative Schedule

A separate bill aimed at speeding up wheelchair repairs is another area of focus. Currently, wheelchair repairs can take weeks or even months, trapping people at home. The bill passed the Senate nearly a year ago but seems to have dim prospects in the House. The state's MassHealth program is incentivizing manufacturers to make quicker repairs, but there is pushback from manufacturers. House leaders are wary of passing language that only provides a "stick" instead of a "stick and carrot." This balance between accountability and incentivizing action is crucial in getting the wheelchair repair bill passed.Adding to the complexity is the legislative schedule, which is hemmed in by holiday breaks. With only a month left in the session, the climb to Governor Maura Healey's desk is getting steeper for most bills. Lawmakers need to navigate through these challenges to ensure that important legislation makes it through.

Health Care Oversight and Disparate Bills

Lawmakers are also trying to reconcile complex bills designed to create more oversight of the hospital industry. This includes measures to ban hospitals from leasing the land on which their main campuses stand from real estate investment trusts. The crisis at Steward Health Care and the hospitals it formerly owned in Massachusetts has led to the need for such changes. Both health care bills have been priorities for House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen E. Spilka. However, talks are still "a ways away" even after lawmakers left for a trip to Cuba to discuss the importance of investing in health care systems.Negotiating these disparate issues and coming to an agreement has been a real challenge. Max Ratner, a spokesperson for Mariano, said lawmakers will keep trying to work toward agreements. But there are still many details to iron out, and the path to a final resolution is not clear.Alan Sager, a professor of health law and policy at Boston University, is pessimistic that the chambers will take more meaningful action on health care without more intense "political pressure." The efforts to address various aspects of the health care system in Massachusetts are ongoing, and the outcome remains uncertain.In conclusion, the Massachusetts legislative session is filled with unfinished business and complex challenges. The efforts to address issues such as opioids, wheelchair repairs, and health care oversight are ongoing, and the outcome will have a significant impact on the state and its residents.