Friday, January 23rd Legislative & Public Health Updates
- hannanur3
- 6 days ago
- 14 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.
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Table of Contents
Legislative Updates
A Glimpse at the Past Week
Public Health Updates
Cambridge Updates
Recent Press
Services and Resources
Legislative Updates
I met with staff from the Massachusetts Office of Victims Assistance (MOVA) on Tuesday morning for an update on their work with immigrant and LGBTQ-serving organizations. MOVA is an independent agency that funds over one hundred agencies throughout the Commonwealth that provide culturally competent and trauma-informed services to survivors and victims of crime. As some of these providers have begun to pivot to at-home services for survivors in the wake of rising fears of apprehension by ICE in their communities, a need for funding that is not reliant on federal dollars and restrictions has emerged.
My staff stopped by the Clean Energy Caucus’s Briefing on the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank on Wednesday. The Massachusetts Community Climate Bank was created in June 2023 as the nation’s first green bank dedicated to affordable housing. MassHousing, which administers the Climate Bank, works with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and MassDevelopment to promote clean energy solutions for low- and moderate-income households by leveraging federal, state, and private funds.
Massachusetts Temporarily Reducing Winter Energy Bills
Governor Healey announced today that the Commonwealth will temporarily lower residential electric and gas bills this winter. Under the plan, electric bills will be reduced by 25% and natural gas bills by 10% in February and March 2026. About 15% of the electric bill reduction will be funded by $180 million in alternative compliance payments (ACPs) under the state’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS).
The remaining electric bill savings, as well as the gas bill reductions, will be deferred and recovered later in the year — electric costs from April through December, and gas costs from May through October (for all customers except Liberty Gas). This reflects the important role that RPS and ACPs play in boosting clean energy while providing relief to ratepayers, which I am highlighting in current discussions around energy affordability and climate action.
A Glimpse at the Past Week
I was honored to participate in several events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of justice and equity. On Friday, I joined Temple Israel of Boston’s Shabbat of Justice, featuring Dr. Rahsaan Hall, President and CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, and Regie Gibson, Massachusetts’ inaugural Poet Laureate. Rooted in the Jewish values of tzedek (justice) and kehillah (community), the service offered reflection, learning, and a call to collective action against systemic inequities.
On Monday, I attended two Cambridge events celebrating Dr. King’s vision. The morning’s Community Begins with Us program, hosted by the Cambridge Peace Commission and St. Paul AME Church, highlighted Dr. King’s warning about the “triplets” undermining justice—racism, materialism, and militarism—and featured a moving performance by the Millennium Gospel Choir. In the afternoon, my team and community members joined the Many Helping Hands 365 MLK Day of Service, volunteering to sort food, write messages to seniors and veterans, and create scarves for those experiencing clothing insecurity. I am grateful to all the organizations and community partners who made this inspiring day possible.
I met with staff from the Massachusetts AFL-CIO on Tuesday to discuss the devastating impact that tax cut ballot initiatives would have on the Commonwealth's ability to continue providing essential public services. The income tax ballot question would reduce state revenue by up to $4.8 billion annually, on top of the $3.5 billion in annual federal cuts to healthcare, food assistance, and other programs. In addition, the ballot question to cap state revenue growth would cut up to $2 billion from the budget. I am deeply concerned about these ballot initiatives and am committed to continuing to work with labor leaders and other advocates to oppose the cuts.
I joined the Cambridge Education Association (CEA) as they prepared to deliver over 1,300 petition signatures at the Cambridge School Committee meeting on Tuesday night. The petition drop-off event had food, music, and animated speakers proposing contract changes to reflect the cost-of-living crisis, smarter school investments, and academic freedom. It was inspiring to see our community come together with energy, joy, and a clear message: Cambridge educators deserve fair contracts!
Congratulations to the 2026 Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus board slate voted in at their Annual Meeting on Tuesday night. It was wonderful to be with colleagues and peers to discuss a path forward for women’s equality in 2026, as well as hear from Boston City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata.
I loved seeing neighbors and friends at Office Hours at Jamie’s Ice Cream this past Thursday. Office hours create valuable space for open, one-on-one conversation between myself and constituents. It’s a great opportunity for you to share any concerns, ideas, and lived experiences, all of which help inform better, more responsive policy. I welcome any chance to connect with you and hope you can join one of my three Office Hours sessions in the next week.
On Thursday, I attended Governor Maura Healey’s State of the Commonwealth address. I was grateful that she focused on affordability, specifically housing, energy, and health care. I also appreciated that she outlined the steps we are taking in Massachusetts to mitigate the harmful actions of the Trump administration.
Public Health Updates
The Trump Administration Finalizes United States’ Withdrawal From the WHO
Yesterday, the Trump Administration officially withdrew the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO). This process began last year, after President Trump signed an executive order, citing the agency's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises, its failure to implement urgently needed reforms, and the "unfairly onerous payments" demanded from the U.S. As an agency of the United Nations, WHO plays a crucial role in protecting public health and responding to global health emergencies. Public health experts have criticized this decision, calling it shortsighted, misguided, and reckless. Leaving the WHO will undermine the nation's status as a global health leader and could significantly hinder global health initiatives, including efforts to eliminate polio, improve maternal and child health, and detect new viral threats. In the coming weeks, U.S. scientists are likely to experience changes in access to databases containing WHO data used to monitor infectious diseases, which could affect Americans. Trump administration officials have said they already have public health relationships with countries beyond those facilitated by WHO membership and are working to establish direct pathways to communicate with these nations.
Outbreak of Measles Continues in South Carolina, U.S. Now at Risk of Losing Measles Elimination Status
Health department officials in South Carolina have reported 88 new cases of measles since last Friday, bringing the total to 646 since last October. In fact, 419 of the confirmed cases are in people aged 5-17, and 87% of the total cases occurred in unvaccinated people. Measles, also known as rubeola, is a contagious viral illness that causes a rash, fever, and cough. The illness is so contagious that about 90% of people exposed to measles who are not immune will develop measles. In addition to the new cases in South Carolina, 83 additional measles cases have been reported across the United States in 2026. The U.S. declared measles “eliminated” in 2000; however, the surge of cases that began last year has put this status at risk. For a disease to reach “eliminated” status, there cannot be transmission of that disease within a region for 12 months. However, according to the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, no longer being able to designate measles as a disease that has been “eliminated” in the U.S. is concerning, as it directly reflects the public health system’s ability to prevent continuous disease outbreaks and the level of protective immunity within the population. Both the CDC and the Department of Public Health recommend that everyone receive two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Those who complete the full MMR vaccine course are typically considered to be protected against measles and rubella for life, while immunity to mumps may wane over time. More information about measles and the MMR vaccine can be found here.
CDC’s Recent Vaccine Schedule Changes Challenged in Lawsuit by Prominent Medical Associations
On Monday, 7 prominent medical associations filed an amended complaint in their lawsuit against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reverse changes to the agency’s childhood vaccine recommendations. The original complaint challenged Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s recent vaccination policies, including Kennedy’s efforts to fire the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) over disagreements on vaccine policies and his decision to dismiss all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) earlier this year. The amended complaint alleges that HHS arbitrarily and illegally overhauled the CDC’s childhood vaccine schedule without adhering to the legally required processes for issuing recommended vaccine schedules. Earlier this month, the CDC’s acting director took unprecedented action by signing a memorandum to revise the childhood and adolescent immunization schedule by reducing the number of vaccines the agency recommends children receive from 17 to 11. In Massachusetts, the Governor and Commissioner of Public Health have condemned the CDC’s decision and, in partnership with the Legislature, taken action to preemptively protect access to vaccines and guarantee insurance coverage in the event the federal government rolls back evidence-based recommendations. Please note that in November 2025, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a supplemental budget that included language giving the Department of Public Health (DPH) the authority to set a state-level vaccine schedule independent of the CDC’s recommendations, ensuring that adolescents can continue to access evidence-based vaccines. The Division of Insurance (DOI) and DPH also issued a joint bulletin requiring health insurers operating in Massachusetts to guarantee coverage for any vaccine recommended by the state. Click here to learn more about DPH’s childhood vaccine schedule, and here to learn more about the vaccine DPH currently recommends independently from federal recommendations.
Influenza Now Responsible for Five Adolescent Deaths in Massachusetts
A recent update to the Massachusetts Department of Health’s Influenza dashboard shows that as of January 10, another child has died of influenza during the 2025-2026 season, bringing the pediatric influenza-related death count to 5 children. Data shows 107 adults in Massachusetts have also died from the flu this season. Flu cases have continued to swiftly climb across the Commonwealth and the United States over the last few months. While it is expected to see an uptick in flu and respiratory illnesses during winter, a new flu variant is driving cases this year: subclade K. To protect yourself and others from severe infection, it is crucial to get vaccinated. About 1 in 3 Massachusetts residents were vaccinated against influenza this season, representing the lowest flu vaccination rate in the last five years. Although the subclade K variant was not included in this year’s flu vaccine, data still show that the flu vaccine is effective at reducing the risk of acute illness leading to hospitalization. Given the projected severity of this flu season, state health officials are urging people to get vaccinated if possible, especially those at high risk for severe illness. People at an increased risk for an acute infection due to influenza include people over the age of 65, people with chronic conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, young children, and pregnant people. For more information about where you can get your flu vaccine this season, you can visit here.
Cambridge Updates
Winter Family Fun Day on Saturday
Join the Center for Families for Winter Family Fun Day! This free event, open to Cambridge families with children ages 8 and younger, is on Saturday, January 24 from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Peabody School Gym (70 Rindge Ave. Enter in the back through Door #11.) No registration needed. A free, light lunch will be served and every child will receive a free book. Contact Cynthia Woodward at 617-349-6385 or email cwoodward@cambridgema.gov with any questions.
Free Health Screening at CCC
The Cambridge Community Center (CCC) is partnering with Care Access to offer free health screenings at the Center Court Game at CCC on Saturday, January 31 from 10am - 2pm. Bringing health services and advancing the future of medicine for people of all backgrounds is the center of the Care Access mission. Anyone 18 and older is welcome to participate, no insurance or payment is needed, and the tests include both standard medical screenings done at the doctor’s office as well as additional tests that insurance does not normally cover.
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 will be open Monday, December 1, 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.
Recent Press
Jane Petersen, Cambridge Day
People came to the City of Cambridge’s 16th annual commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday to hear great gospel music, to find inspiration, and to look forward.
Before the roughly 200 people in attendance at the St. Paul AME Church, Councillor E. Denise Simmons drew parallels between King’s era and today. “The forces of division want us to believe that freedom is something elusive, that fear is wisdom, that suspicion is safe and that we are too far gone, too different, too broken to find one another in our way back to community,” she said. “Dr. King faced these same dark, divisive forces in his lifetime… he saw the darkness more clearly than most of us ever will, and he refused to let it have the last word.”
The program alternated songs by The Millennium Gospel Choir and brief readings from King’s speeches and writings by community members. His words warned against what he referred to as the “giant triplets” of racism, materialism, and militarism. The section of the event on militarism received a large audience reaction, its message starkly contrasting with recent U.S. incursions in Venezuela and threats by President Trump to invade Greenland.
The choir’s songs often had people standing and singing along. At one point, state Rep. Marjorie Decker was dancing in her pew. “The power of love and the call to justice and to stand together, it was overwhelming and inspiring,” she said afterward. “My soul is so fueled right now, and it gives me this energy that’s like, ‘let’s do this, let’s keep doing this.’”
Services and Resources
While the federal government shutdown has ended, food insecurity in Cambridge and across Massachusetts remains very real.
You can still donate to funds such as the Cambridge Community Center (CCC)’s Nourish a Neighbor fund and the United Response Fund to support local and statewide food assistance programs.
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.
Additional Food Assistance Resources
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.
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.
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.
Department of Energy Resources Energy Storage Grant
The Department of Energy Resources (DOER)’s Advancing Massachusetts Power (AMP) energy storage grant program is open for applications. Applicants interested in evaluating the feasibility of an energy storage system to provide community resilience and better prepare them to pursue follow-on implementation funding can apply for the Preconstruction Support pathway by January 26.
The AMP program aims to accelerate the equitable deployment of safe energy storage systems throughout Massachusetts. It prioritizes investments that deliver resilience, reduce pollution, create economic opportunities, and improve public health- especially in environmental justice, low-income, and historically disadvantaged communities.
As always, please contact me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie
