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Friday, April 7 Public Health & Legislative Updates

Dear friends,


I write to you today with public health and legislative updates. Again, we appreciate your patience over the next few weeks while we explore a new format for updates. If you have suggestions, feel free to email them to us.


Table of Contents

  • Public Health Updates

  • State Updates

  • Cambridge Updates

  • Mental Health Services and Resources

 

Public Health Updates


MassHealth Redetermination Underway

The MassHealth eligibility redetermination process began on April 1. Over the next 12 months, MassHealth will renew the membership of all 2.3 million members. Visit mass.gov/masshealthrenew or call (800)-841-2900 to learn more about this process. 


The Health Connector is also hosting a free webinar, “Keeping or Getting Coverage through MassHealth and the Health Connector,” on Wednesday, April 12, from 12:00 p.m-1:00 p.m at https://malink.co/webinar-041223. This session presented by MassHealth and the Health Connector staff will cover how members renew MassHealth coverage, report any changes, how to access an online account, and get help with completing renewal or enrolling in Health Connector coverage.


Insurance Coverage Ending for Free COVID Tests at Pharmacies

When the public health emergency ends on May 11, insurance companies will no longer be required to provide free at-home COVID tests.  As a reminder, insurers are currently required to cover up to eight free tests each month per insured person. You can then get a set of free tests in April and then again during the first week of May. 


Report Your At-Home COVID Test Results with Make My Test Count

Individuals who take a COVID-19 at-home test can report their test result anonymously at MakeMyTestCount.org, a new website from the National Institutes of Health. The site does not ask for personal information such as name, date of birth, or street address, only general information such as age and ZIP code. Data collected through MakeMyTestCount is de-identified and sent to the same public health systems that currently receive COVID-19 test results from laboratories and doctors’ offices. Learn more at bit.ly/3DjS46f.

 

State Updates


Dr. Robert Goldstein Appointed as DPH Commissioner

This week, Health and Human Services Secretary Walsh appointed Dr. Robert Goldstein as the new Commissioner of the Department of Public Health, effective April 18. Dr. Goldstein is currently a Senior Policy Advisor at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an infectious disease physician at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and a faculty member at Harvard Medical School. Learn more at bit.ly/43pmmA7.

 

I look forward to working with Dr. Goldstein in my role as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health and wish the very best to outgoing Commissioner Margret Cooke.

 

Cambridge Updates


Free COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics Every Wednesday

The Cambridge Public Health Department is offering free COVID-19 and flu vaccines to adults and children (age 5+) every Wednesday from 12-4 p.m. at 119 Windsor Street, second floor.  

  • Vaccine Clinic Dates: Every Wednesday from Feb. 8–June 14.

  • Appointments are required. You can register online at bit.ly/40bMk8C. If you have questions or want help making an appointment, call 617-933-0797.

  • People age 5 and older can receive their first dose, second dose, or bivalent booster of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.  

  • Flu vaccines will be available for adults and children (age 6 months and older), while supplies last. High-dose flu vaccines will also be available. 

  • No ID, Social Security Number, or health insurance is needed for the free vaccines.


Public Health Helpline Supports Residents with COVID-19

To speak with someone, call the confidential COVID-19 Hotline for the public health departments of Cambridge, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop at 617-933-0797. The hotline is managed by the Cambridge Public Health Department. Learn more at bit.ly/3J7FYAO


City Offering Free At-Home COVID Tests

The Cambridge Public Health Department, in partnership with the Cambridge Health Alliance, is providing free COVID-19 rapid antigen at-home test kits. They can be picked up Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM in the CHA lobby at 119 Windsor Street. Cambridge businesses or organizations that would like free rapid tests to provide to customers can call the COVID-19 hotline at 617-933-0797 to request them.

 

Mental Health Services and Resources


If you or a loved one are struggling, please know that you are not alone. There are some great resources here: decker4rep.com/2021/mental-health-services-and-resources/.


Intimate Partner Abuse Prevention Helpline

This initiative is designed to prevent intimate partner violence by fostering accountability and change in people who harm or may harm their intimate partner. You can find more information at 10to10helpline.org or by calling 877-898-3411.


As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.


Sincerely,

Marjorie

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