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Friday, October 17th Legislative & Public Health Updates

  • hannanur3
  • Oct 20
  • 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.


I am holding office hours at the Cambridge Community Center (5 Callender St) on Tuesday, October 21st from 5:30-6:45 p.m. Please come share your thoughts, ask questions, and enjoy pizza and refreshments!


Table of Contents

  • Legislative Updates

  • Public Health Updates

  • A Glimpse at the Past Week

  • Cambridge Updates

  • Services and Resources

YWCA Cambridge and Transition House are holding a personal care item and gift card drive to benefit survivors during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The flier below includes information on what can be donated, or you can click here to donate directly to Transition House if you are able and inclined to do so.

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Legislative Updates


Closeout Supplemental Budget

On Wednesday, I voted with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass a supplemental budget to address deficiencies, to make new necessary investments, and to close the books on Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). The legislation appropriates $2.25 billion in gross spending, at a net cost to the state of $750 million, a reduction of almost $200 million from the Governor’s original proposal. 


The bill appropriates $10 million for Health Care for All to conduct a public awareness campaign, and to conduct health coverage enrollment assistance for communities at risk of losing health care coverage as a result of the new Medicaid reporting requirements that were put in place by President Trump and Congress through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It invests $10 million for the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and includes $5 million in grants to reproductive health care providers. It also includes a policy section which authorizes the Department of Public Health Commissioner to determine routine childhood immunizations and vaccination schedules, rather than relying on the recommendations of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.


Additionally, the bill updates and restructures existing assessments on Massachusetts hospitals used to fund the Health Safety Net and related hospital support trust funds. The changes modernize financial data used in the assessment, increase the amount hospitals contribute, and adjust how the resulting funds are distributed among hospitals.



The bill also addresses budget deficiencies, including:

  • $1.67 billion in gross spending ($303 million net cost) for MassHealth

  • $60.7 million for snow and ice removal

  • $35 million for HomeBASE

  • $14 million for the Section 35 program

  • $12.5 million for no-cost calls

  • $12 million for Universal School Meals

  • $7.2 million for Department of Correction (DOC) Facilities operations

  • $6.8 million for the Clean Water Trust Fund

  • $3.5 million for State Police operations

  • $700,000 for the Suffolk County District Attorney


Finally, the bill includes language from an amendment that I filed to extend the deadline for the Charles River Task Force on Equitable River Access to submit a report to the Legislature with its recommendations. As I mentioned in previous newsletters, I created the Task Force in the FY25 state budget to ensure that when DCR looks at any aspect of life on the Charles, from traffic and transportation to recreation and preservation, a wide range of voices are intentionally engaged throughout the process.


Hearings on Legislation That I Filed

Seven bills I filed this legislative session were heard this week: 

Public Health Updates


Fenway Health No Longer Providing Gender-Affirming Care for Patients Under 19 to Preserve Federal Funding

On Monday, Fenway Health announced that it would be scaling back its gender-affirming care services for patients under 19 years old in response to a change in federal funding requirements. Founded in 1971, Fenway Health is a national leader in health centers for its focus on LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and other underserved communities. The news comes just weeks after the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced its intention to deprioritize and cease financial support for programs that involve gender-affirming care for minors in alignment with the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. HRSA also announced plans to deprioritize and defund programs that do not recognize biological sex as unchangeable, along with DEI initiatives. Since January, the Trump administration has attacked gender-affirming health care, particularly for minors. Shortly after taking office, President Trump signed an executive order banning people 18 years and younger from accessing gender-affirming care like puberty blockers, hormones including estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone, and gender-affirming surgeries. The order additionally prohibits institutions receiving federal research or education grants, including hospitals and medical schools, from providing gender-affirming care to minors, resulting in some hospitals abruptly halting medical care for transgender minors. As a result, PFLAG, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for and supporting LGBTQ+ people, filed a suit against the Trump administration in February, challenging the legality of the executive order.  In August, a coalition of 16 states and the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration in federal court in Massachusetts for unconstitutionally pressuring doctors and hospitals from providing gender-affirming care to transgender youth. As a federally qualified health center, Fenway Health is required to comply with HRSA regulations to maintain support for its patients; Fenway Health serves more than 30,000 patients. Fenway’s cancellation of gender-affirming care services for minors is the first of its kind in Massachusetts, and at least one other health center network, Outer Cape Health Services, has indicated that it would follow suit. Fenway Health has made clear that it intends to prioritize continuity of care for affected patients.


Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Firing Federal Employees After Mass CDC Layoffs

Late last Friday night, hundreds of federal employees working on issues related to mental health services, disease outbreaks and disaster preparedness were affected by mass layoffs as the Trump administration works to pressure Democratic lawmakers to end the ongoing government shutdown. The slew of firings affected hundreds of employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including the entirety of the CDC’s Washington office and employees in the Global Health Center and the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. By Saturday, however, the Trump administration scrambled to rescind many erroneous terminations. Notably, the CDC’s Washington office was not reinstated, and the layoffs of employees in the office of the Director of the Center for Injury Prevention and the Division of Violence Prevention Policy remained in effect. A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from firing federal workers during the shutdown, citing that the cuts appear to be politically motivated and were executed without much thought. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco noted that the evidence would likely show that the layoffs were illegal and outside the scope of the administration’s authority, paying particular attention to the human cost of the firings. In fact, furloughed workers cannot access their work emails and human resources specialists are unavailable during the federal government shutdown. For now, the Trump administration is barred from implementing additional layoffs until the government shutdown ends. 


Over 150 Schoolchildren Quarantined Due to Measles Exposure

On Tuesday, South Carolina officials reported that more than 150 unvaccinated schoolchildren are undergoing a 21-day quarantine after exposure to measles. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, the quarantined children come from two schools in Spartanburg County - Global Academy of South Carolina and Fairforest Elementary. South Carolina is the latest state to experience a measles surge this year; outbreaks in New Mexico and Texas earlier this year resulted in hundreds of measles infections and the death of three people. According to the CDC, the United States has confirmed 1,596 cases of measles this year, representing the highest annual number of cases in over three decades. Measles, also known as rubeola, is a very 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 to the virus will develop a measles infection. Because measles is highly contagious, at least 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated against the illness to achieve herd immunity. Reaching herd immunity through high vaccination levels ensures that measles and other contagious illnesses are not spread from person to person throughout a community, thereby protecting individuals who may be immunocompromised or unable to be vaccinated due to legitimate adverse reactions diagnosed by a medical professional. Both the CDC and the Massachusetts 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. For more information about measles and the MMR vaccine, visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/measles. 


WHO Warns of Global Rise in Antibiotic-Resistant Infections

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a report on Monday, warning that widespread resistance to common antibiotics is increasing by as much as 15% each year. This resistance occurs when pathogens evolve to withstand the drugs designed to kill them, leading to a loss of antibiotic effectiveness against common infections, which can lead to severe bloodstream infections that frequently result in sepsis, organ failure, and death. According to the WHO, drug-resistant infections contributed to nearly five million deaths attributed to bacterial infections worldwide. The WHO’s report highlights that in 2023, one in six bacterial infections causing common infections such as urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, and E. coli, were resistant to the available antibiotic treatments. Between 2018 and 2023, antibiotic resistance increased in over 40% of the most commonly used antibiotics for treating infections. Notably, Southeast Asia and the eastern Mediterranean regions have reported the highest rates of antibiotic resistance, with one in three infections being resistant to antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance was also more prevalent in low and middle-income countries, with the greatest burden in places where health systems are least equipped to respond and lack the capacity to diagnose or treat bacterial pathogens. The WHO warns that the increasing resistance to antibiotics poses a significant threat to global health and modern medicine.


New York Health Officials Confirm the First Locally-Acquired Case of Chikungunya Virus Since 2019

This week, New York’s Department of Health confirmed the first locally acquired case of chikungunya virus in the United States since 2019. Chikungunya virus is a mosquito-borne illness common in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Symptoms of this virus include fever, joint and muscle pain, rashes, and headaches, and they typically begin 3-7 days after an infected mosquito bites someone. There is no specific treatment for the chikungunya virus, but symptoms can be relieved with over-the-counter pain medications and fever reducers. The illness is rarely fatal, and a majority of those who acquire the chikungunya virus recover within 7 days. The individual who tested positive for the illness resides in Long Island and recently traveled outside the region, but not outside of the country, where they were bitten by an infected mosquito. New York health officials have not found any mosquitoes carrying the virus in the area, and there is currently no evidence of ongoing spread within the region, making the current risk of transmission low.

A Glimpse at the Past Week

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On Tuesday, I had the privilege of welcoming a panel at a State House briefing and discussion on “Investing in Health: The Case for Access to Cost-Effective Obesity Treatment.” The panel emphasized the harmful repercussions that would follow the elimination of Group Insurance Commission (GIC) coverage for GLP-1 drugs for weight management, which would cut off access for nearly half a million state employees, retirees, and their families starting January 1, 2026. 


I am grateful that the GIC announced on Thursday that it will not end coverage for GLP-1s for weight management this plan year, but what’s concerning is that this decision has blindsided patients, the Legislature and the voting members of the GIC. These coverage decisions are not patient-centered or led by medical experts; rather, the Executive Office of Administration and Finance continues to be the driving force. We have no transparency from the Healey Administration on what’s next in health care.


The science is clear: GLP-1s are life-saving drugs, both in terms of helping people lose weight and in treating comorbidities such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and many other conditions. I will continue to fight for parity in health access for residents in Cambridge and across the Commonwealth.


Thank you to patient advocates Michael Donnelly-Boylen and Joyce Linehan for sharing your personal experiences and speaking to the tremendous positive impacts that GLP-1s have had on your lives and your health. Thank you as well to Dr. Angela Fitch and Dr. Samar Hafida, who highlighted the urgency of the impending coverage elimination by private insurers and spoke about how difficult it is for physicians to be barred from providing their patients with the treatments that they need.

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It was a pleasure to attend the YWCA Cambridge’s 30th Tribute to Outstanding Women at La Fabrica on Wednesday night. The YWCA Cambridge has been a staple in our community for over 100 years and continues to be at the forefront of women’s care and justice. Providing support to more than 600 individuals in Cambridge each year, YWCA Cambridge is doing the work to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. In addition, the YWCA is a critical resource and safe space for gender expansive youth and other at-risk young people.


On a personal note, I enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate all of the honorees, Eva Martin Blythe, Jasmine and Joanna Elder, Mayor E. Denise Simmons, and Ellen Semonoff, alongside so many prominent members of our community. Thank you for the work you do and your commitment to enhancing the lives of not just women and girls, but all residents of Cambridge. 


Congratulations to the YWCA Cambridge on 30 years of uplifting outstanding women in the community and the honorees for their incredible work!

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I was honored to join AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Chrissy Lynch, and California AFL-CIO President Lorena Gonzalez at a State House briefing on artificial intelligence (AI) and the future of work. As employers increasingly use AI to make hiring, firing, and promotional decisions and incorporate AI into their employees' job responsibilities, it is critically important that we put protections in place to protect workers from the negative impacts of these new technologies.

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On Thursday, my staff attended a tour of the American Red Cross Regional Headquarters in Dedham, hosted by the Public Health Committee in conjunction with the Emergency Preparedness and Management Committee. The regional headquarters in Dedham processes life-saving donations from most of New England and ensures that donations are properly stored and distributed to healthcare facilities every day. The Dedham facility also hosts a blood donation center to quickly prepare and issue blood and platelet donations on-site. Thank you to American Red Cross of Massachusetts CEO Holly Grant for leading the tour and providing valuable insight into the Red Cross’ mission here in the Commonwealth. I also want to thank Emergency Preparedness and Management Chairs Steven Ultrino and John Cronin for organizing the tour and inviting the Public Health Committee to attend.

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I was happy to speak on a panel at the 3rd Annual Mná Mheiriceá (Women of America) Business Breakfast at the UMass Club on Friday. The theme was "Celebrating 250 Years of Women in Boston, Ireland & Beyond." Thank you to Martina Curtin, President & Co-founder of Mná Mheiriceá, for inviting me. I thoroughly enjoyed being in conversation with my inspirational panelists, Maree Gallagher, Amy O’Sullivan, and Gemma Allen, who are committed to doing the work to empower and uplift women here and in Ireland. To the next 250 years of women’s leadership and voices!

Cambridge Updates


Road Closures in Riverside, Cambridge Highlands and Harvard for Head of the Charles and other Community Events

Drivers in Cambridge should expect increased traffic and limited parking in Riverside, Cambridge Highlands and Harvard Square area between Friday, October 17, and Sunday, October 19, due to several large community events, including the Head of the Charles Regatta, the Attic Vintage Block Party, and the Community Art Center Block Party. Details are available here.

  • From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the following streets will be closed to vehicles for the Head of the Charles Regatta:

    • Memorial Drive (between Western Ave and JFK St.)

    • DeWolfe Street (between Mt. Auburn St and Memorial Drive)

    • Flagg Street (between Banks St. and Memorial Drive)

    • Ash Street (from Mt. Auburn St. to Memorial Drive)

  • From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Arrow Street will be closed between Mass Ave and Bow St. for the Attic Vintage Block Party.

  • From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Fawcett Street will be closed between Concord Ave and 110 Fawcett St. for the Community Art Center Block Party.


Medication Takeback Day

The Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD), Cambridge Police Department, and Cambridge Council on Aging are hosting a Medication Takeback Event at the Cambridge Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Avenue, on Monday, October 20 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Personnel will be available on-site in the lobby to accept unwanted or unused prescriptions, over-the-counter meds, and vitamins. Sharps, liquids, and creams/ointments will NOT be accepted. For any questions about the event or safe medication disposal year-round, please contact Danielle McPeak, the CPHD Prevention and Recovery Specialist, at dmcpeak@cambridgepublichealth.org.

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Narcan Distribution Event

The Cambridge Public Health Department will be handing out free Narcan, test strips, CPR face shields, and other harm reduction materials at the Central Square Branch of the Cambridge Public Library on Thursday, October 23 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Everyone can help save a life from opioid overdose! For any questions about the event or to learn more about Narcan availability and overdose prevention training in Cambridge, please reach out to Danielle McPeak (dmcpeak@cambridgepublichealth.org).


Cambridge Public Health Department Vaccine Clinics 

The Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD) is planning its fall vaccine clinics in various community locations this year. CPHD clinics will offer flu and COVID-19 vaccines for adults and children 6 months and older. Registration for clinics is available here.

  • October 21, 10am-2pm: Senior Center, 806 Mass Ave.

  • October 23, 4:30-7pm: King Open School, 850 Cambridge Street (Includes VaxAbilities for individuals with special needs)

  • October 24, 1-4pm: Cambridge Community Center, 5 Callender St

  • October 29, 3:30-6:30pm: Reservoir Church, 170 Rindge Ave

  • October 30, 4-6:30pm: Pisani Center, 131 Washington St

Services and Resources


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.



As always, please contact me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.


Sincerely,  

Marjorie

 
 
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