Friday, May 9th Legislative & Public Health Updates
- hannanur3
- May 13
- 13 min read
Dear friends,
I am writing to you today with legislative, public health, and Cambridge updates.
Table of Contents
Legislative Updates
Public Health Updates
A Glimpse at the Past Week
Cambridge Updates
Services and Resources
Legislative Updates
Poverty Commission Updates
On Tuesday, I convened a meeting of members of the Poverty Commission alongside my co-Chair Senator Sal DiDomenico. We brought together commissioners to discuss the preliminary recommendations emerging from commission work and to talk about new gaps and challenges that are emerging as a result of the federal administration. I am proud of the good work that the Commission continues to do in service of finalizing the report (as a reminder, we also held three hearings across the state in 2024), and look forward to updating you once it is completed next month.
I am also happy to share that on International Workers’ Day last week (Thursday, May 1st), Senator DiDomenico and I filed the most comprehensive anti-poverty package in the history of the state. This bill, An Act significantly alleviating poverty (HD.4622), also known as the ASAP Act, was informed by the work of our Commission, testimony we heard in the hearings, and our own expertise, having led on anti-poverty issues in the State House for over a decade. We have been working on this landmark bill in parallel with the commission and are excited to share more about it in the coming weeks.
Hearings On Bills That I Filed
I am grateful to the Chairs of the Education, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committees for holding legislative hearings this week on several of my bills.
An Act relative to recess for elementary and middle school students (H.543)
This bill would ensure that all students in grades kindergarten through eight receive at least 30 minutes of recess every day, with the exceptions of days with unique circumstances, including early closings, delayed openings, and field trips. It also requires that the recess experience be outdoors, whenever weather and air quality permits, and that the recess be composed of unstructured free-play. Finally, the bill prohibits schools from decreasing the amount of recess time to provide academic or other services.
An Act to stop mass shootings (H.1650)
This bill would ban the manufacturing of assault weapons and large capacity feeding devices in Massachusetts, except for sales to authorized law enforcement or military agencies.
An Act relative to the reckless discharge of firearms (H.1656)
This bill establishes a new criminal offense for the intentional or reckless discharge of a firearm that creates a substantial risk of serious bodily injury.
Both of these bills (H.1650 and H.1656) would build on the significant gun reform legislation enacted last session and ensure that Massachusetts continues to lead on common-sense gun safety laws.
An Act relative to fire safety education in schools and colleges (H.2588)
This bill would mandate comprehensive fire safety education for all students in Massachusetts elementary, secondary, and postsecondary institutions. I filed this bill with a constituent after her college-aged daughter lost her life due to smoke inhalation in a 2017 off-campus apartment fire. I have been working with her mother ever since to ensure that young people have every skill possible to potentially prevent the loss of life in a fire.
New Eviction Record Sealing Protections Take Effect
As a result of the landmark Affordable Homes Act signed into law last summer, new eviction record sealing protections took effect this week. I was proud to co-sponsor the pro-tenant bills and amendments that ensured these protections were included in the omnibus housing bill. Tenants in Massachusetts can now petition the court to seal their records at different times depending on the type of case and the outcome. More details are available here.
Public Health Updates
FDA Advisers Set to Meet and Discuss COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations in Late May
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that its Vaccines and Related Biologics Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), tasked with providing advice and recommendations to the FDA on regulatory issues, is set to meet in late May and will focus on identifying the specific coronavirus variants that vaccine manufacturers should target for booster shots. In the U.S., the major manufacturers of the COVID-19 vaccines, Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax, have adjusted their formulas over the past few years to target specific strains of the virus, offering better protection against circulating strains. Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) held its first meeting under U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to discuss the nation’s vaccine policies and heard from CDC staff on a range of vaccines, including HPV, COVID-19, and flu.
New Study Finds that Trump Administration Has Cut $1.8 Billion in Research Funding
This week, researchers at Harvard and Yale published a study containing the most comprehensive data and information on grant funding that was suddenly cut by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) after the Trump Administration took over. Until now, the true breadth and depth of federal research funding cuts had been unclear, as the Administration has not provided a detailed accounting of what grants have actually been terminated versus those that were terminated and subsequently reinstated. The lack of accurate, publicly available tracking of NIH grant cancellations made it appear that most research impacted was related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, or LGBTQ+ topics. However, researchers involved with gathering factual data on the grants cut say the scope of the research affected is actually much broader. 694 grants, totaling about $1.81 billion, across 700 projects on various health conditions, have been terminated. 24 out of 26 institutes at NIH contributed to these grant terminations, including the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute on Aging. The most significant cuts occurred under the National Institute of Mental Health, which terminated 128 grants, and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, which slashed 30% of its grant spending, the most of any institute under the NIH. 20% of the grants clawed back by the federal government were related to early career development programs, such as fellowships and training programs, which are critical to ensuring a strong pipeline to enable young people to enter the biomedical research space. The researchers behind this study emphasize that while it is the most comprehensive data on the Trump Administration's funding cuts at this time, it still does not capture the full scope of the situation, as it focuses only on canceled NIH funds rather than canceled or frozen funding across all federal agencies. This data makes clear that the U.S. is experiencing an unprecedented disruption to scientific research. To track or submit data on canceled NIH grants, visit https://grant-watch.us.
Concerns Emerge as FDA Appoints New Leader for Its Vaccine and Biologics Oversight Division
Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) appointed Dr. Vinay Prasad to lead its Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, a move that could shift how vaccines and biologic drugs are evaluated and regulated in the future, potentially compromising the progress made in public health. This center is responsible for overseeing the regulation of vaccines and biologic drugs, including gene therapies, and the blood supply. Dr. Prasad’s appointment raises concerns about the scrutiny vaccines and new medications may face. Dr. Prasad, a hematologist-oncologist and professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco, has been a vocal critic of the FDA’s and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has voiced skepticism regarding FDA leadership and the pharmaceutical industry, and has been accused of spreading misinformation. Dr. Prasad replaces Dr. Peter Marks, who led the division for 13 years and oversaw the approval of COVID-19 vaccines; Dr. Marks was forced to resign in late March by HHS Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Following news of Dr. Prasad's appointment, shares of several biotech stocks, including vaccine manufacturers, dropped more than 6%.
HHS Announces Plan to Analyze Medicare and Medicaid Data to Study Autism
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced plans to utilize medical data and records from individuals on Medicaid and Medicare to investigate the causes of autism and other chronic health conditions. In a statement, HHS noted that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will collaborate with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS has access to claims data from nearly 150 million enrollees across the country, which will be used to create a comprehensive database that incorporates insurance claims, electronic medical records, and data from wearable devices equipped with sensors. Using this data, researchers will examine trends in autism diagnosis, health outcomes from treatments, access to care based on demographic and geographic factors, and the economic challenges families and healthcare systems face. However, public health experts express concerns that this dataset may not reveal the condition’s root causes nor address the most critical areas of research, particularly those related to genetics and other factors from prenatal, preconception, and early infancy stages. It also sparks concern among researchers and advocates over the protection of patients' sensitive data and the fear that the study could be used to perpetuate a discredited theory linking vaccines to autism, which has been debunked by decades of research.
Use of Nicotine Pouches Among U.S. Teens Doubles
Between 2023 and 2024, the percentage of U.S. teens using nicotine pouches has almost doubled from 3% to 5.4%. In addition to this, teens are now twice as likely to admit to using nicotine pouches in the last 30 days or the past year than they previously were. Nicotine pouches, often referred to by the popular brand name Zyn, enable teens to discreetly use nicotine by inserting the pouch between the gum and lip. The popularity of Zyns can be attributed to extensive marketing on social media where young influencers promote the product by claiming it boosts confidence, enhances masculinity, and improves mental acuity. In January of this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized Zyn to market its flavored nicotine pouch products to people over the age of 21, stating that the product could be considered a less harmful alternative to cigarette use. However, it is important to note that Zyn is not FDA-approved as a smoking cessation product. This growing trend in nicotine pouch usage among adolescents is emerging as a significant public health concern, similar to the crisis surrounding flavored e-cigarette usage. According to the American Lung Association, many nicotine pouch products contain harmful chemicals, many of which are linked with an increased risk of developing cancers.
A Glimpse at the Past Week
Last Saturday, I was honored to be recognized by the Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee (CEOC) for their Together We Rise award alongside my friend and colleague Senator Sal DiDomenico. I cannot emphasize enough the gratitude I have for people who work to ensure the well-being, security, and unmet needs of our community.
CEOC is an anti-poverty organization empowered by people who have lived experience and are dedicated to ensuring that those in our community living in poverty can thrive and survive. I stand where I am today because they ensured that my parents, who both worked multiple jobs, had access to food, child care, readiness for tax preparation, and a community filled with support. It is an honor to know that I continue to carry their incredible work through my public service.
It was great bumping into Team Decker alums and future interns last Sunday at the 40th annual Harvard Square Mayfair. Numerous students who come through my office learn how the state government works and about the advocacy and policy development important to our community. Working with interns is one of the highlights of my job serving as a State Representative. It was also great to see the Cambridge Fire Department supporting the bake sale for the tennis team at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS), my alma mater. Huge thanks to the Harvard Square Business Association, Cambridge Department of Public Works, Cambridge Police Department, and Cambridge Fire Department. If you're on Instagram, take a look at the fun times we had with Bonde Wine!
On Tuesday, I met with the Commissioner of the Department of Insurance, Michael Caljouw, and his team to discuss priorities for this session and ways that we can partner. I am appreciative of the Commissioner’s leadership in working to understand and address challenges for patients and medical providers related to prior authorization, step therapy, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). I look forward to continuing to work with DOI and Commissioner Caljouw this session to improve the accessibility and affordability of health care in the Commonwealth.
I was pleased to speak to members of the Massachusetts Nurses Association on Tuesday in recognition of National Nurses Week. We rightfully call nurses the backbone of our healthcare industry, but the incredible care that they provide is often thankless — and can take a devastating physical toll. This session, Senator Paul Feeney and I have filed An Act relative to safe patient handling and mobility in certain health facilities (H.2396) to require healthcare facilities to adopt and implement a safe patient handling and mobility program. Nurses and other healthcare workers suffer more musculoskeletal disorders than any other profession — including those working in construction and manufacturing — and the single most significant risk factor for those injuries in healthcare facilities is patient handling. These preventable injuries can be career-ending for health care workers, leading to a loss of experienced nurses at a time when we need them more than ever. We can and must do more to protect our healthcare workers, especially as the federal government abdicates responsibility.
It was great to see old friends, including John Rosenthal, co-founder of Stop Handgun Violence, and members of Grassroots for Gun Violence Prevention (Grassroots 4 GVP), who came to testify in support of a bill I filed, An Act to stop mass shootings (H.1650), at the Judiciary Committee’s hearing on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, I met with Dr. Charles Anderson, the President and CEO of the Dimock Health Center in Roxbury. The Dimock Center was one of the nation’s first community health centers and continues to offer whole-person health care, behavioral health services, early education, and wraparound support for individuals and families from across Massachusetts. Many of our community health centers, including the Dimock Center, are facing potential federal funding cuts that will threaten critical work being done to address gaps prevalent in our health systems. These cuts would lead to limited access to care, a reduced health care workforce, and increased pressure on our hospitals and shelter systems, particularly in underserved areas across the Commonwealth.
On Wednesday night, I joined the Harvard University Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Community Engaged Research Program, alongside my colleagues Representative Sam Montaño and Representative Jack Lewis, for a listening session and community forum in Worcester. This was an important discussion about the evolving national landscape and its impact on people living with, at risk for, or affected by HIV. I was proud to share more about my work with Rep. Montaño on the budget amendment that offers a national model to support gender-affirming care in our Commonwealth by establishing an Affirming Health Care Trust Fund, as well as my long history of leadership in supporting the LGBTQ+ community and championing budget and policy initiatives to systemically reduce the risks of HIV transmission and improve outcomes for residents living with HIV.
I met with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute on Thursday morning to discuss their legislative priorities and their support for the bill I filed this session, An Act improving the health insurance prior authorization process (H.1136). The bill aims to require prior authorization (PA) to be valid for the duration of treatment, or at least one year, and establishes a 24-hour response time for urgently needed care. Insurers would be required to honor prior authorization from a different insurer for at least 90 days.
For those of you who may not be familiar with PA, it is a process through which health insurers require medical providers to get approval before prescribing a medication or providing treatment to ensure insurance coverage. It requires physicians to justify to insurers why they believe a treatment is medically necessary. Health insurers now require physicians to utilize PAs for various medications and services, including some generic drugs. The widespread use of PA has caused an administrative burden on healthcare providers and harm to patients. Physicians and medical staff spend extensive time on PA paperwork and appealing PA denials to try to get medically necessary care covered by health insurers. It has also caused a delay in care, which can result in patients electing to forgo necessary care rather than waiting. It was great to hear about how supportive Dana-Farber is of my bill and their continued advocacy to improve healthcare outcomes and services for the Commonwealth.
On Thursday, Rep. Sam Montaño and I met with the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts to talk about the House’s unwavering commitment to protecting reproductive rights and gender-affirming care, and strategize how to build off of the leadership in the House budget for the amendment supporting gender-affirming care (outlined above) to ensure similar solvency in our support for reproductive health care.
I attended the first meeting of the National Maternal and Infant Health Working Group on Thursday afternoon. I was honored to be invited to join this working group by the State’s Project, which was created with the intent of creating a primer that outlines the best practices for maternal and infant health policy that can be used collectively to advance policy. We discussed key aspects of maternal and infant care and areas for improvement in services and policy. It was great to hear about the incredible work that legislators have done in various states and are continuing to do to improve maternal health services for birthing people nationwide.
I had the opportunity to share about my years of championing maternal and infant health policy and the comprehensive maternal health bill I authored during the last session. During this session, I continued to build upon Massachusetts' progress by filing more bills to improve maternal health care. I filed bills to expand the Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) parity that is included in the maternal health omnibus under MassHealth, also to require private insurers to reimburse CNMs at the same rates as physicians, alongside Representative Fluker-Reid, and to expand the doula workforce alongside Representative Chynah Tyler.
Cambridge Updates
Comcast Rise Grant for Small Businesses
From Thursday, May 1, through Saturday, May 31, eligible small businesses in Cambridge and throughout the Boston area can apply for the Comcast RISE Program.
Local businesses will be chosen to receive a package that includes:
Tech Upgrade: Computer equipment and internet/phone/security for a year
Marketing Boost: A free TV commercial and help with your ad plan
Learning Tools: Access to online business courses for a year
$5,000 Grant: Direct financial support
Business Coaching: Expert advice to help your business grow
To qualify, your business needs to be at least two years old, have 100 or fewer employees, and the majority owner must apply. Learn more here.
Petition to Preserve and Protect the Constitution Against Unlawful Federal Actions
I want to share a petition that a Cambridge constituent and neighbor has created to condemn President Trump’s authoritarian actions and to pledge to take action to preserve and protect the Constitution of the United States of America.
Services and Resources
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.
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 with a 24/7 for caregivers and patients. More information is available at alz.org, or by calling 800-272-3900.
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.
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.
As always, please contact me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie
