Friday, February 13th Legislative & Public Health Updates
- Feb 22
- 15 min read
Dear friends,
I am writing to you today with legislative, public health, and Cambridge updates. If you want even more updates, please follow me on Instagram @repdecker.
Table of Contents
Legislative Updates
A Glimpse at the Past Week
Public Health Updates
Cambridge Updates
Services and Resources
Legislative Updates
Opposing Changes to GIC Coverage
This week, I sent a letter to Governor Healey regarding her administration’s proposed changes to the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) plan design, including the removal of GLP-1 coverage for obesity management. I am strongly opposed to shifting costs onto state employees while restricting access to medically necessary treatment.
As Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health, it was especially important for me to state that policies intended to mitigate costs should not do so at the expense of equity, dignity, or the Commonwealth’s stated commitment to advancing fair and inclusive health outcomes for all residents. Removing coverage for GLP-1s in particular risks deepening health inequities by placing effective treatment further out of reach for those who already face systemic barriers to care. I worked hard to have this coverage added to MassHealth after meeting with seniors who were medically qualified for GLP-1 treatment but were unable to access those benefits.
I am also deeply concerned about this unprecedented approach to healthcare coverage and access. Decisions of this magnitude should not be top-down directives that only consider the bottom line, but should instead center providers and patients, meaningfully engage those directly impacted, and weigh equity implications. I applaud the members of the GIC, who are appointed by the Governor, for not rubber-stamping this unilateral decision and for carefully studying its serious repercussions.
House passes bills regulating AI in campaign ads
On Wednesday, the House voted to pass two bills regulating the use of artificial intelligence in political advertisements. The bills would require the disclosure of AI use in political advertisements and would ban deceptive communications about a candidate or about the electoral process within three months of an election.
An Act to protect against election misinformation (H.5093) prohibits the distribution of deceptive communications within 90 days of an election, including:
Audio or visual media that depicts a candidate with intent to injure their reputation or deceive a voter into voting for or against them
Media that concerns the safety or regular operations of an election with intent to disrupt the integrity of the electoral process
Content with the intent to mislead voters as to the date and time of an election; the requirements, methods, or deadlines to vote; the certification of an election; and the express endorsement of a candidate or ballot initiative by a political party, elected official, nonprofit organization, or another person.
The bill authorizes a candidate whose voice or likeness appears in a materially deceptive audio or visual media to seek relief prohibiting the distribution of the media, or to bring an action against the party that distributed the media. Exemptions include media outlets that report on the ads as long as they acknowledge that there are questions about its authenticity; websites and newspapers; and satire and parody.
An Act enhancing disclosure requirements for synthetic media in political advertising (H.5094) requires that any synthetic media audio or video communication intended to influence voting for or against a candidate or ballot proposition must disclose that it contains AI-generated materials. Violations are punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.
A Glimpse at the Past Week
Thanks to MassBudget for hosting a briefing on real estate transfer fees on Monday morning. Research shows transfer fees can generate much-needed revenue to address the housing crisis in Massachusetts, including creating a funding stream for affordable housing. I am proud to file An Act authorizing the city of Cambridge to impose a real estate transfer fee, which would allow Cambridge to impose a 2% real estate transfer fee on the portion of sales over $1 million, with proceeds directed to the City’s Affordable Housing Trust.
We met with Catherine O’Keeffe, founder of Wellness Warrior and Ireland's first menopause coach, to learn from the work done to improve access to menopause care in Ireland and how we could implement these strengths here in Massachusetts. Perimenopause and menopause are not niche issues– these conditions directly impact over half of the population, with women spending more than ⅓ of their lives in menopause. Despite its significance, menopause is often overlooked, accompanied by stigma and inadequate attention in clinical care and workplace policies. As a result, many individuals navigate this transition without sufficient guidance, support, or resources, and even when seeking help, many remain untreated.
This session, I filed a new bill, An Act expanding access to perimenopause and menopause care (H.4838), a comprehensive bill related to perimenopause and menopause to address gaps in awareness, education, health care, and workplace protections related to perimenopause and menopause in Massachusetts.
Riverside Early Head Start staff members stopped by my office on Tuesday morning for their annual Advocacy Day. In case you are not familiar with Riverside Early Head Start, their dedicated staff partners with parents in Somerville, Cambridge, and Medford to promote the healthy development of children from birth through age three, in addition to providing prenatal care. Their in-home visiting program comes directly to families who meet federal low-income guidelines at no cost to them and prepares children to successfully enter preschool. Every one dollar spent on Headstart programming accounts for 16 dollars otherwise needed later on for other interventions. As a Head Start alum, I am immensely appreciative of the work they do with our most vulnerable families in a culturally and linguistically sensitive setting.
Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) Birth Center convened a stakeholder meeting on Monday to discuss next steps toward the Center’s reopening later this year. The Cambridge Birth Center closed in 2020 to undergo necessary renovations. These updates will bring the facility into compliance with state regulations established following the passage of the omnibus maternal health bill that I authored and championed.
I am proud to have helped prevent the Birth Center’s permanent closure when plans were underway to shut it down rather than invest in renovations. I also secured $1 million for the Birth Center in the Fiscal Year 2024 state budget and included language in the FY25 budget to ensure CHA can access federal safety net hospital funding.
To stay up to date on developments at the CHA Birth Center, you can subscribe to their new newsletter, Labor of Love, here.
A legislative briefing this week hosted by primary care physicians from Mass General Brigham (MGB), organized with the Doctors Council SEIU, highlighted the ongoing primary care access crisis and its impact on patients across the Commonwealth. Doctors shared firsthand accounts of unsustainable workloads, chronic understaffing, and the resulting challenges patients face in accessing timely, continuous care. We need to ensure that strengthening primary care remains central to our broader public health goals.
On Tuesday afternoon, we stopped by a legislative briefing on family support and stabilization services in the Commonwealth hosted by the Children’s League of Massachusetts. These crucial programs promote the safety and well-being of young people and their families, and I am deeply grateful for the work of advocates and direct support staff.
Public Health Updates
EPA Revokes Rule that Served as Legal Basis for the Agency to Rein in Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Yesterday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule rescinding the 2009 Endangerment Finding under the Clean Air Act. For the last 16 years, the Endangerment Finding has served as the legal basis for nearly all federal regulations reigning in greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, power plants, and other sources of pollution contributing to climate change. This finding was a direct result of Massachusetts v. EPA. This landmark Supreme Court case confirmed that greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the Clean Air Act and that the EPA has the legal authority to regulate these emissions as they pose a threat to public health. The Trump Administration has stated that the scientific research the EPA conducted to establish the Endangerment Finding was initially not sound, and that the finding has restricted consumer choice and justified “trillions of dollars in hidden costs for Americans.” Trump Administration officials have claimed that overturning greenhouse gas emission regulations will save the nation over $1 trillion and reduce car manufacturers’ costs by $2,400 per vehicle. Numerous environmental health organizations have criticized the Trump Administration’s reversal of the Endangerment Finding, stating that it undermines decades of scientific evidence and progress on climate change and “is a brazen assault on the health and welfare of the American public.” In addition to this, Americans will likely have to spend an additional $1.4 trillion on fuel costs for less environmentally friendly and inefficient cars and trucks, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Public Health issued a joint statement condemning the reversal of the Endangerment Finding, stating that the action represents further dismantling of tools to protect public health and highlighting that scientific evidence shows that vehicle pollution harms people and the environment. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell also released a statement, emphasizing that the EPA lacks legal authority to repeal the Endangerment Finding and that Massachusetts will continue to lead efforts against the Trump Administration to protect people from the dangers posed by greenhouse gas emissions.
Trump Administration Launches TrumpRx, but it’s Unclear if the Platform will Lower Drug Prices for All Americans
Last Thursday, the Trump Administration officially launched the TrumpRx website, the administration’s effort to provide savings on medications for Americans. The TrumpRx platform purports to connect consumers to discounted prices on certain drugs through printable coupons that can be redeemed at pharmacies and directly ordered from drug manufacturers' websites. Several pharmaceutical products, ranging from weight-loss drugs like Zepbound to insulin, are depicted with a slashed-through sticker price underneath the TrumpRx discounted rate. Forty-three medications are currently listed on the website, with price reductions of up to 93 percent, with additional medications promised in the near future. The website refers to Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) pricing as the pathway for “huge savings.” In May 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order that established the MFN policy to ensure that Americans do not pay more than other developed nations for the same drugs. The medications currently listed on Trump Rx are produced by the five companies that have reached a deal with the Trump Administration on MFN pricing: AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Novo Nordisk, and Pfizer. These companies also agreed to provide MFN pricing to state Medicaid programs for newly launched medicines. Despite President Trump’s pledge to save Americans money on prescription drugs, some experts do not believe these promises will be fulfilled for all people. For those with health insurance, prices on TrumpRx are still likely to exceed what one would typically pay. Furthermore, uncertainty remains about whether drugs purchased through the platform will count toward one’s annual insurance deductible; if they do not, TrumpRx could lead to increased consumer spending. Despite these potential limitations, the Director of KFF’s Program on Patient and Consumer Protections notes that Americans may save with TrumpRx on certain GLP-1 medications that are not covered by insurance. More detailed information on actual drug costs, deductibles, and available products is needed to assess TrumpRx’s success in achieving cost savings.
Trump Administration Set to Cut $600 Million in Public Health Grants to Democrat-Led States
On Monday, federal officials from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced plans to rescind $600 million in federal public health funding across state and local health agencies in California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota. According to HHS, the grants are being terminated for failure to reflect agency priorities. These funds are allocated through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and include grants for coordinating disease outbreak responses, HIV surveillance and early-warning systems, and services for LGBTQ+ and other underserved communities. In California, for example, state officials say the grants cut by the Trump administration are critical to curbing HIV transmission in the state - the cuts will derail $1.1 million slated for the L.A. County Department of Public Health’s National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Project. Notably, the cuts follow an order from President Trump’s budget office last week, instructing the CDC and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to cut $1.5 billion from majority-Democratic states for mishandling of funds. Public health professionals are concerned that these funding cuts by the Trump administration would lead to dangerous outcomes, namely, leaving communities unprepared for public health crises due to large staffing cuts. Although Massachusetts is not directly affected by the funding cuts, they reduce the overall capacity of the national disease surveillance network, thereby straining the Commonwealth’s ability to maintain rapid response capabilities and early outbreak detection. State leaders in California are currently evaluating legal options in response to the cuts.
Hims Discontinues Compounded Version of Wegovy as Novo Nordisk Sues for Patent Infringement
On Monday, Hims & Hers (Hims) announced it will discontinue its lower-cost compounded version of the Wegovy pill. Hims is a telehealth company that provides medications and treatments for various health conditions, including weight loss. Specifically, Hims provides compounded GLP-1s to patients through online telehealth pharmacies. A compounded drug is a medication that combines or alters the original ingredients of a medication for patient-specific needs, such as adjusting dosages not produced in bulk, removing allergens, adding flavoring, or changing the route (e.g., from pill to liquid). The compounded version of the weight loss drugs experienced a surge in popularity through online pharmacies and med spas when GLP-1s containing semaglutide and tirzepatide were in short supply. Compounded GLP-1s, however, have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Notably, the FDA has actively warned consumers against using compounded versions of GLP-1 drugs and is taking action against compounding companies that market similar drugs to FDA-approved drugs. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, compounding drugs to copy FDA-approved medications is strictly prohibited. In response, Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of and patent holder for Wegovy, filed suit against Hims for illegally compounding the drug and putting the general public at risk for dispensing a dangerous knock-off version of Wegovy.
Massachusetts Approves New Cambridge Endoscopy Center to Reduce Regional Backlogs
The Public Health Council voted on Wednesday to approve a proposal from Mass General Brigham Ambulatory Surgery – Cambridge, LLC to open a new ambulatory surgery center (ASC) in Cambridge, designed to reduce the number of patients awaiting endoscopy procedures to 25,000. Colonoscopy, a type of endoscopy, can detect cancerous polyps and remove them during the same procedure. Per capita, the Commonwealth has the fourth fewest ASCs in the US. The applicant is owned by New England Surgery Center Holdings, LLC, a joint venture between Mass General Brigham (70% ownership) and Regent Surgical Health. This move comes as hospitals in greater Boston continue to face prolonged wait times for endoscopy services due to capacity constraints and high demand. By shifting a portion of these procedures to the proposed ASC, which includes three procedure rooms, the new center is expected to help reduce wait times and improve patient access. The project was reviewed under the Commonwealth’s Determination of Need (DoN) program, which evaluates the impact of proposed health care expansions on equity, access, cost, and community need.
Cambridge Updates
WinterMix Events
The Community Development Department’sPublic Space Lab, with support from Cambridge Recreation, is presenting Winter Mix – a new series of free community events that will take place throughout the month of February. For additional event details, including programming and activities, as well as time-sensitive updates, visit cambridgema.gov/wintermix.
An outdoor Winter Mix event will take place each Thursday in February, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Joan Lorentz Park. All outdoor events will feature warm food and hot chocolate, winter games, fire performances by MIT Spinning Arts, and themed activities.
Three weekend events will take place inside Cambridge public schools on Saturdays from 3-5 p.m., featuring crafts, warm food and beverages, games, music, and other entertainment
Council on Aging Extending Programming at Russell Center
The Council on Aging is extending programming at the Russell Youth and Community Center (680 Huron Ave) based on community feedback. Beginning on Thursday, February 5, the programming schedule will resume on Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. through the end of May. During programming hours, older adults are welcome to socialize in the building's 2nd Floor Common Area. The Council on Aging will also offer drop-in walking hours on Fridays, where older adults can get exercise in a safe indoor environment.
Cambridge Works Applications are Open
Cambridge Works, the City of Cambridge's transitional jobs program, is recruiting! The program serves Cambridge residents between the ages of 18 and 35 who have difficulty finding full-time jobs due to limited work experience, a gap in their work history, legal challenges, or personal issues. Cambridge Works will begin in late March 2026. The program provides participants with a paid temporary job placement at a local organization, professional development, support from a case manager, and job search support to find full-time employment. To apply to the program, fill out the online application.
Winter Warming Center Open Dec. 1 - April 30
The Cambridge Winter Warming Center is open through Friday, April 30, at 437 Green St. (the back entrance of the Senior Center in Central Square). The Warming Center will be open every day of the week from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. as a welcoming drop-in center where unsheltered adults can spend the night safely during the winter months. At the Winter Warming Center, guests will have access to beverages and a meal, bathrooms, and a mat to rest on the floor. They will also be able to connect with first responders regarding serious health and safety concerns. Additionally, information about other community services will be available, including direct access to the Cambridge Coordinated Access Network (C-CAN) to be assessed for potential housing opportunities.
Services and Resources
Immigration Resources
MIRA Immigration Helpline: Through this helpline, MIRA provides individuals and community-based organizations with answers to the most commonly asked immigration questions. You can contact the helpline by scheduling a call online or leaving a voicemail at 508-293-1871.
Guidance for Immigrants and their Employers: MLRI and MIRA have created guidance to prepare immigrants and their employers for ICE interactions. Here is the guidance; please share it widely with your networks.
LUCE Defense Hotline: If you see or suspect ICE or federal agents are in your neighborhood, contact the LUCE Immigrant Defense Network’s Hotline, which operates in several languages, at 617-370-5023 from 9am-5pm. A trained operator will ask for details, then dispatch a volunteer to the site, who will attempt to verify the situation and the presence of ICE. You can learn more about LUCE and their upcoming volunteer trainings at lucemass.org.
De Novo Center for Justice and Healing: De Novo is a Cambridge-based nonprofit that provides free civil legal assistance and affordable psychological counseling to people with low incomes. Importantly, De Novo also offers high-quality, free legal assistance to low-income immigrants and asylum seekers who are living in Massachusetts. You can learn more about their immigration related services here, and their general mission and work at denovo.org.
Reliable sources of information on policy changes:
Food Assistance Resources
If you need help meeting your or your family’s nutritional needs, you are not alone. You can find information on Cambridge food pantries, free community meals, and other local food resources here.
Mass.gov/SNAPFreeze provides resources for people in need of food assistance and ways for residents and businesses to donate or volunteer.
Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline is free, confidential, and has counselors available in 180 languages. You can call or text 1.800.645.8333 to access the hotline, or chat with a counselor online using the “Live Chat” feature at the bottom of the website.
Greater Boston Food Bank has information on food assistance as well as opportunities to donate and to volunteer.
Cambridge Food Resource Guide has information about food pantries, free community meals, food resources for older adults, and more, and is available in 8 languages.
Reproductive Care, Gender-Affirming Care, and Crisis Resources
These are a few of the resources and help lines available for people seeking reproductive or gender-affirming health care or experiencing a crisis. Help is available, and you are not alone.
MBTA Income-Eligible Reduced Fare Program
The MBTA’s income-eligible reduced fare program offers reduced fares to riders between the ages of 18 and 64 enrolled in an approved state assistance program, including:
Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled & Children (EAEDC)
Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)
MASSGrant
MassHealth
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
You can learn more about the program and how to apply at mbta.com/fares/reduced/income-eligible.
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 partner. You can find more information at 10to10helpline.org or by calling 877-898-3411.
SafeSpot Overdose Prevention Helpline
SafeSpot is a virtual spotting/overdose detection service for people who use drugs. Learn more at safe-spot.me or access it by calling 800-972-0590.
Alzheimer's Association Helpline
The Alzheimer’s Association is a nonprofit that provides support, research, and care for Alzheimer’s and dementia. It is available 24/7 for caregivers and patients. More information is available at alz.org, or by calling 800-272-3900.
MassLegalHelp.org is a resource to help Massachusetts residents learn about their legal rights. The website does not offer legal advice or answer individual questions, but has a page about options for finding a lawyer. It does provide resources for those facing legal issues, such as a landlord refusing to make repairs, appealing the denial of SNAP benefits, and questions about getting a CORI sealed.
Free Shuttle Bus Transportation Available to Older Adults in Cambridge
Council on Aging (COA) Bus Service
On Mondays and Wednesdays, the shuttle bus is available to residents who live in Central Square (02139) and East Cambridge (02141)
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the shuttle bus is available to residents who live in North Cambridge (02140) and West Cambridge (02138)
To reserve a seat on the shuttle bus, call the Council on Aging’s Transportation Office at 617-349-7254. Please make reservations at least 2 business days in advance. COA staff will share a morning pickup time with residents once reservations are complete.
Council on Aging (COA) Mall Shopping Group Transportation
The Mall Shopping Group shuttle bus provides free transportation to Arsenal Yards in Watertown, which has a variety of retail shops, grocery stores, and restaurants to explore. The shuttle can also bring residents to the Watertown Mall Plaza, which includes a Target and Registry of Motor Vehicles.
This trip alternates between Tuesdays and Wednesdays each week. The shuttle leaves the Cambridge Senior Center at 10:30 a.m. and returns to the Senior Center at 1 p.m. Home pickup is available upon request.
To reserve a seat on the shuttle bus for the Mall Shopping Group, call the Council on Aging’s Transportation Office at 617-349-7254. Please make reservations at least 2 business days in advance.
Door2Door by SCM Transportation
Door2Door Transportation by SCM is available to Cambridge residents who are 60 years or older or residents who have a mobility impairment. The transportation service provides rides to medical appointments and grocery stores. Door2Door is also piloting a weekly shuttle service to the Target on Somerville Ave. in Somerville.
For reservations, call 617-625-1191 between 9 am and 1:30 pm on weekdays, excluding holidays. When you hear the greeting, press “0” to speak to reservations.
Welcome Baby Boxes for Cambridge Parents
The Center for Families provides Baby Boxes to eligible Cambridge parents who have a child under one year old.
The Baby Boxes include diapers, wipes, children's books, and community resources for families.
Parents can customize their Baby Box by choosing items sized for a 0–6-month-old or 6–12-month-old. They can also select a baby carrier, diaper backpack, and breastfeeding supplies for their Baby Box.
If you’re interested in signing up for a Welcome Baby Box, please fill out this form or contact welcomebabyboxes@cambridgema.gov.
As always, please contact me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie
