No Action on a Flu Pandemic bill but 2 other Public Health matters Pass as Session Ends

A bill that would finally spell out the state's plan for a widespread flu outbreak or other public health disasters did not make it out before the session ended last night. The bill has been several years in the making, but it seems there are few details still undermining efforts to plan ahead. Supporters expect to refile the bill and hope it will get a quick hearing.

The legislature did pass a bill supporters say will give thousands of children covered by MassHealth access to dental care. It will let dental hygienists, working in public clinics, treat kids without the supervision of a dentist. There's more here.

Legislators also enacted a bill that gives pharmacists, who reach agreements with physicians, more authority to manage patient medications.