Dear friends,
I am writing to you today with legislative, Cambridge, and public health updates.
Table of Contents
Legislative Updates
Cambridge Updates
Public Health Updates
A Glimpse at the Past Week
Recent Press
Mental Health Services and Resources
Legislative Updates
Supplemental Budget on Emergency Assistance Shelter
As you may know, I spent years trying to reverse the punitive and inhumane policy that forced families to spend at least one night in a space not meant for human habitation in order to qualify for emergency assistance (EA) shelter. With the help of the Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means, Aaron Michlewitz, I secured language in the FY 2020 budget to eliminate that requirement and ensure it could never be reinstated. As many of you may be aware, there has been an unprecedented amount of immigrants coming into Massachusetts seeking safety and housing. This has put an extraordinary amount of stress and pressure on our emergency shelter system. I am proud that Speaker Mariano, with the support of the House of Representatives, has made it very clear that eliminating the right to shelter is not on the table despite the housing crisis. As you may know, Massachusetts is the only state in the country with a right to shelter for families and pregnant women. It is important that we maintain this regulation even as we navigate this unprecedented moment in time.
The House voted on Wednesday to appropriate an additional $245 million to fund the EA shelter system through the end of Fiscal Year 2024 (June 30th, 2024) and institute temporary reforms to ensure that the program is able to endure while state revenues continue to decline. The bill supports workforce development for those who are new to Massachusetts by establishing a $2,500 tax credit per trainee for companies that provide workforce training to individuals enrolled in the emergency assistance program or staying at an overflow shelter site. It also calls for the Governor to seek federal approvals for a waiver from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to permit expedited work authorizations, temporary work authorizations, and provisional work authorizations for newly arrived migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. These measures will help new arrivals enter a path towards joining the workforce and moving out of shelter. It’s been estimated that funding the shelter system without any changes could cost the Commonwealth up to $1 billion to fully fund for an entire year, so at this time the House of Representatives included a limit on shelter stays between 9 and 12 months in this bill. While this was a very difficult decision, I am happy to share that I was able to secure language through an amendment that ensures that survivors of domestic violence can stay the maximum 12 months without needing to apply for an extension. The bill also outlines other vulnerable populations that will be eligible for a 12-month stay, including veterans and single parents without child care.
I have and will continue to work hand and hand with my colleagues and most importantly advocates who are helping both those new to Massachusetts and long time residents in securing emergency shelter options. The time limit that the House adopted is not permanent. It will expire in one year. There is a sunset clause that explicitly reverts statute related to EA shelter back to existing law in one year. This was about managing a process as we move into the deliberations for the FY25 budget. House leadership and I are committed to working with advocates with an eye on this year's budget to continue to address this crisis. It will provide time for the Administration to pull together what I hope will be a task force that includes legislative leaders and advocates to assess how money has already been invested in the system and to think about how to strategically move forward. It should also call on Congress for more resources and support to help us continue to be the welcoming state we have been and want to be.
This vote yesterday enables us to have predictability going forward as we consider appropriations in the FY25 budget. When I think about the budget choices going forward and what I will advocate for, I remain committed to advocating for investments in other programs that help support families at risk of homelessness like cash assistance programs for families living in deep poverty (Temporary Aid for Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Assistance for the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC)). As many of you know, I have been leading on these cash assistance increases along with Senator DiDomenico and House and Senate leadership. While support from TAFDC and EAEDC is not enough to enable families to thrive, it will hopefully make surviving less painful. I continue to fight both to make up for the $18 million we lost in the Governor’s unilateral 9C cuts and another increase to the grants in the FY25 budget funding.
I have and continue to work very closely with advocates who fight to ensure that the most vulnerable and unhoused populations in our Commonwealth can access resources and have a voice. They have been my partners for the last 12 years and will continue to be my partners. If you have concerns about this vote on the supplemental budget and/or want further clarity, please reach out directly to our office. You can reach my office by calling 617-733-2130 or emailing marjorie.decker@mahouse.gov. I’m happy to set up a call or have you talk to my staff.
I will continue to lead from the heart and be guided by the shared values with which you’ve elected me. I will also continue to work with colleagues and advocates to assess the policy tools and resources that will help us most effectively support all families — those who have been in Massachusetts and those who have arrived — to secure a safe place to sleep at night.
Cambridge Updates
Community Assistance and Response & Engagement (CARE) Team Event
The Cambridge Community Safety Department (CSD)’s CARE Team will be holding an information and Q&A session on March 19. The CSD’s mission is to provide residents with an alternative police response that prioritizes issues of mental and behavioral health in some of the city’s most vulnerable communities. Members of the CARE Team have expertise in social work, mental health counseling, developmental psychology, and emergency medical services. The event will be held at the Lecture Hall in the Main Library.
Cambridge Public Health Helpline Supports Residents with COVID-19
To speak with someone, call the confidential COVID-19 Hotline at 617-933-0797. Learn more here.
City Offering Free At-Home COVID Tests in Partnership with the Cambridge Health Alliance
The tests 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. The at-home COVID test expiration date can be checked here.
Public Health Updates
Worcester Board of Health Approves the Creation of an OPC as a Pilot Program
On Monday, the Worcester Board of Health voted unanimously to support a plan to site an overdose prevention center (OPC), commonly referred to as a safe injection or consumption site, for people to use pre-obtained drugs under medical supervision, as a pilot program in the city, pending state approval and guidance. The Board meeting featured health experts from Brown University School of Public Health and the University of Massachusetts Chan School, who discussed how OPCs could prevent overdose deaths and the ongoing study of the effectiveness of the first two OPCs in the U.S. in New York City and Providence. In Massachusetts, the rate of opioid-related deaths has increased by 3% per year on average from 2015 to 2022, according to a report released by the state's Department of Public Health (DPH) in December. Worcester saw overdose deaths rise to an all-time high of 141 deaths in 2022. DPH also released a feasibility report recognizing OPCs as an evidence-based tool that is aligned with a comprehensive approach for addressing fatal overdose rates, decreasing harms with drug use, and overall improving well-being in the Commonwealth.
First OTC Oral Contraceptive Ships to Retailers, Available in late March
This Monday, major retailers and pharmacies across the country began receiving shipments of Opill, the first FDA-approved over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pill. Opill is a once-daily progestin-only pill, representing an older class of contraception called minipills. This birth control formulation has been approved for prescription use by the FDA for the last 51 years. Opill is 98% effective at preventing pregnancy when taken as directed, making it just as effective as more popular birth-control options containing both progestin and estrogen, with fewer side effects. Opill will be available for purchase later this month at in-person and online retailers and opill.com. One month's supply will cost $19.99, and the manufacturer has set up a patient assistance program for those who cannot afford the medication and are uninsured. Like other OTC medications, there will be no age restrictions on purchases.
WHO Reports Increased HIV Drug Resistance
On Tuesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported increased resistance to the HIV drug dolutegravir within a subgroup analysis. Dolutegravir is used in tandem with other medications to treat HIV by reducing the viral load and ensuring people do not transmit the virus to others. It is known for having fewer side effects, being more effective, and having a higher genetic barrier for drug resistance than other treatment options. This is especially concerning as the WHO has recommended dolutegravir as its preferred first and second line of treatment for HIV in all population groups since 2018. The increased prevalence of resistance in some subgroups underscores a need to improve HIV care options and the importance of continuing standardized surveillance of HIV drug resistance. ”
Topical Acne Products Linked to Benzene, A Known Carcinogen
An independent testing lab, Valisure, has tested and detected high levels of benzene in several acne products containing benzoyl peroxide, a commonly used ingredient in over-the-counter topical acne treatments, including popular brands such as Proactiv, Target Corp.’s Up & Up, Clinique, and Clearasil. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, benzoyl peroxide is one of the top recommendations for topically treating acne. The research concludes that the products resulted in these high levels due to the chemical breakdown of benzoyl peroxide, which decomposes over time and forms benzene, a chemical produced by natural and manufactured processes and is a component of gasoline and tobacco smoke. Current guidelines of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allow drug products produced with up to 2 parts per million of benzene, and Valisure’s testing found some acne treatments containing up to 12 times that amount.
Experimental Hypertension Medication Demonstrates Promising Results
Zilebesiran, an experimental medication for high blood pressure developed by Alnylam, a Cambridge-based biopharmaceutical, and Roche, a Swiss healthcare company, demonstrated clinically significant results in a recent study. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death globally. About 1 in 3 people have hypertension, and almost 80% of these people do not have their blood pressure under control despite several medication options being available. Zilebesiran is a twice-yearly injection that was beneficial for treating moderate hypertension in adults whose blood pressure was not properly controlled by other commonly prescribed medications in clinical trials. The medication has “strong potential” to help people better sustain lower blood pressure and minimize their risk of heart attack, stroke, and death.
FDA Issues Advisory for Six Ground Cinnamon Brands Due to Possible Elevated Levels of Lead
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety alert on Wednesday, advising consumers to stop using and dispose of certain brands of ground cinnamon after product testing detected elevated lead levels. These ground cinnamon product brands included in the alert include La Fiesta, Marcum, MK, Swad, Supreme Tradition, and El Chilar. To date, no illnesses have been reported linked to these products. The agency urges suppliers to voluntarily recall the products, as prolonged exposure to these products could lead to elevated levels of lead in the blood, which may contribute to adverse health effects. The FDA noted that the lead levels found in the products listed are significantly lower than those detected in the apple sauce pouches that were recalled and removed from the market back in October.
A Glimpse at the Past Week
On Wednesday, I was happy to attend the Arc of Massachusetts Legislative Reception and honor my colleague, Representative John Lawn of Watertown who was recognized as their Legislator of the Year.
On Thursday, I joined the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless as one of their guest speakers for their annual lobby day. I spoke about emergency shelters, along with other programs that I have led in the House, including Residential Aid for Families in Transition (RAFT) and the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP). RAFT and AHVP are both impactful resources that help prevent people from becoming unhoused. I also talked about the importance of my work on cash assistance programs like TAFDC and EAEDC (outlined in the Legislative Updates section), which support the same population. I continue to fight to reinstate the increase that was lost in the Governor’s 9C cuts, and will also be advocating for an additional 10% increase in the FY25 budget.
Also on Thursday, I spoke at the Women’s Bar Association (WBA) legislative breakfast. The WBA is a statewide organization of attorneys in all practice settings dedicated to the advancement of women in the legal profession. I was honored to be awarded by the WBA in 2020 as their Public Official of the Year Award alongside my friend and colleague Senator DiDomenico for our work in raising cash assistance levels for families in deep poverty.
I continue to appreciate that the WBA has been an important ally in supporting our work to lift families out of deep poverty. When Senator DiDomenico and I filed this legislation, the goal was to bring families up to 50% of the federal deep poverty standards. Even the 50% isn’t about thriving, it's so surviving can be a little less painful. We secured increases for the last three years. Unfortunately, the Executive Branch eliminated the most recent increases, but I will work to make it up in the FY25 budget.
Recent Press
Jesse Steinmetz, GBH News
Democratic state Rep. Marjorie Decker, a lead sponsor of a bill to codify the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition program, or RAFT, says it’s a program that ultimately saves the state money. It would cement the already-running program with a state statute and would make benefits available to families and individuals sooner when they’re experiencing housing instability.
Spending money upfront to prevent homelessness is something she hopes the state’s leaders will take a strategic view on.
“Making unilateral cuts across agencies does not have a strategic lens in addressing the kind of prevention that we’re looking at,” she said.
Alison Kuznitz, State House News Service
Rep. Marjorie Decker said the House's spending bill was focused on "managing" the shelter crisis. She called on the Healey administration to develop a clear plan as officials are confronted with tough choices.
"Yesterday we managed the process, and it allows time for the administration to create a plan," Decker said during a Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless event.
"My hope is that the administration brings in many of you in this room together, many of the advocates, who have been working in partnership with us on policy, bring in the Legislature, and bring in their team, including the secretary of housing, secretary of health and human services, secretary of economic development," Decker continued. "We need a more transparent plan, or task force, commission, whatever you want to call it, that allows us to see who's sitting at the table and who's having these complicated conversations with really hard choices that we have to make at the end of the day."
Mental Health Services and Resources
If you or a loved one are struggling, please know 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 partner. You can find more information at 10to10helpline.org or by calling 877-898-3411.
Overdose Prevention Helpline
The Massachusetts Overdose Prevention Helpline is a virtual spotting/overdose detection service for people who use drugs. Learn more at massoverdosehelpline.org or access it by calling 800-972-0590.
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. You can learn more about their services at denovo.org.
As always, please contact me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie
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