Massachusetts Senate Bill S1500

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/25
• Refer: 2/27/25

Caption

Relative to health care transparency

Impact

The proposed legislation would impose strict penalties for those found in violation of the new provisions regarding the use of medical titles. Offenders could face fines ranging from $100 to $1,000, or could be sentenced to up to one year in the house of corrections—or potentially both. This aspect of the bill reflects a significant commitment to enforcing ethical standards in medical advertising, as it aims to eliminate misleading or deceptive claims that could endanger patient safety and trust.

Summary

Bill S1500 is aimed at enhancing health care transparency in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Specifically, it seeks to amend Chapter 112 of the General Laws by redefining the permissible use of the term 'physician' and any similar titles. This adjustment is designed to prevent individuals who are not registered with the board of registration in medicine from misrepresenting their qualifications in any format, including advertisements and public communications. By doing so, the bill intends to bolster consumer confidence in health care services and ensure patients are adequately informed about their providers' credentials.

Contention

Some points of contention surrounding the bill may include concerns from practitioners about the feasibility of compliance with these stringent requirements, particularly regarding the clarity and visibility of required licensure postings. Additionally, there may be debates over the balance between protecting patients and overregulating health care practitioners in a way that might hinder their ability to communicate freely about their services. The bill's move to eliminate any ambiguity in medical practice representations may garner both support and opposition among various stakeholders within the health care community.