This bill aims to enhance the management of contagious and infectious diseases in the Commonwealth by amending various chapters of the General Laws. It introduces a new section, Section 7A, to Chapter 111, which empowers the commissioner to designate certain contagious and infectious diseases as having heightened public health importance. Following such a designation, health insurance plans, medical assistance, and benefit programs are prohibited from imposing cost sharing or requiring utilization review for services related to the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of these diseases. However, cost sharing may still apply if the plan is governed by the Federal Internal Revenue Code and would risk losing its tax-exempt status due to this prohibition.

Additionally, the bill amends several chapters, including Chapters 32A, 118E, 175, 176A, 176B, 176G, and 176I, to ensure that various health coverage plans provide services related to the designated diseases without cost sharing or utilization review. The amendments require the commissioner to notify relevant entities upon designation and maintain a publicly accessible list of such diseases, which will be reviewed annually. The bill emphasizes the importance of public health by ensuring that necessary health care services are accessible without financial barriers during public health emergencies.