Friday, October 3rd Legislative & Public Health Updates
- hannanur3
- Oct 9
- 13 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.
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 give directly to Transition House if you are able to do so.
Table of Contents
Legislative Updates
Public Health Updates
A Glimpse at the Past Week
Cambridge Updates
Recent Press
Services and Resources
Legislative Updates
Hearings on Legislation That I Filed
I am grateful to the Chairs of the Revenue and Financial Services Committees for holding hearings on four of my bills:
An Act protecting youth from nicotine addiction (H.3074) would increase the excise tax on cigarettes and tobacco products, aiming to discourage youth nicotine use by raising the cost of these products. (Revenue)
An Act relative to protecting youth by closing the synthetic nicotine loophole (H.3075) amends the definition of “smokeless tobacco” to tax synthetic nicotine products, including pouches. (Revenue)
An Act relative to annual lists and manufacturing corporations (H.3076) amends procedures for classifying manufacturing corporations for tax purposes, ensuring that if the Department of Revenue fails to notify local assessors by July 1, the classification will not affect machinery tax assessments until the following fiscal year. (Revenue)
An Act relative to external reviews and patient protection (H.1132) would strengthen patient protections in the external medical review process by requiring reviews to be conducted by licensed physicians certified in the relevant specialty. (Financial Services)
Public Health Updates
Federal Government Enters a Shutdown, Impacting Health Agencies
On Wednesday, the federal government entered a shutdown resulting from partisan disagreement over a Republican-backed measure to fund the government through November 21. Specifically, Democratic leaders demanded that the proposal include an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are due to expire at the end of the year; Republican leaders refused. Now that a lapse in funding has occurred, federal law requires agencies to furlough employees who are identified as “non-excepted.” All other federal employees, such as FBI investigators, CIA officers, air traffic controllers, TSA agents, and members of the Armed Forces, must continue to report to work but won’t be paid until the shutdown ends. Critical health programs will continue to operate during the shutdown, but many services will be either paused or significantly less efficient, as many federal employees are furloughed. According to contingency plans in place for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 32,460 HHS employees are expected to be furloughed during the shutdown, while 79,717 employees will be retained. Ultimately, HHS estimates that 41% of its total staff will be furloughed. Other health agencies, such as the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are partially exempted from the shutdown due to the Antideficiency Act. The Antideficiency Act, passed in the 1980s, permits voluntary service of federal employees in emergencies related to the “safety of human life or the protection of property.” However, this does not mean that all employees at the partially exempted federal agencies will be retained in a shutdown; only 25% of NIH staff will be retained, while the FDA will retain approximately 86% of its staff. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is also expecting significant furlough rates. According to the EPA’s contingency plans, about 89% of the EPA’s workforce will be furloughed, meaning that the agency will retain only 1,734 employees through the shutdown. The EPA’s contingency plan calls for the agency to pause non-criminal pollution inspections needed to enforce clean air and water rules, freeze the issuance of new grants to other governmental agencies, and stop approving state requests related to water pollution regulations. However, staff across different agencies working with mandatory activities like Medicare and Medicaid will be retained so those programs can continue. While it is unclear how long this shutdown will last, reimbursements for Medicare and Medicaid are expected to be ensured for the long term, although customer service inquiries could be impacted.
Trump Announces Deal with Pfizer and TrumpRx Website
On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced a deal with the US-based drug manufacturer, Pfizer. President Trump and Pfizer reached a deal in which Pfizer agreed to lower the cost of prescription drugs in the Medicaid program and to launch new medications at prices “at parity” with those in other countries. The agreement includes a new partnership between the Trump administration and Pfizer to offer select drugs directly to consumers via a TrumpRx website. The TrumpRx website would be operated by the federal government and would act as an entry point to direct people to individual drugmakers’ websites for direct-to-consumer sales programs. The administration did not provide any additional details on how the program would work, but announced that it is expected to go live to the public next year. Additionally, public health experts agree that the site will have little impact on the overall prices of medications in the U.S. Specifically, the deal to lower drug prices is only with Pfizer and does not apply to all drug manufacturers in the nation. Additionally, patients must typically pay out of pocket, rather than use insurance, in direct-to-consumer drug sales. Pfizer has announced that average drug prices under TrumpRx may drop 50%, but the amount paid by consumers may still be unaffordable for many, regardless of their insurance coverage. Notably, Medicaid beneficiaries already pay very little or nothing for drugs, and it’s not yet clear how much money the Medicaid part of the deal would save taxpayers.
Study Finds Adolescents Who Experience Repeat COVID-19 Infections are at Increased Risk for Long COVID
An ongoing study has found that children are twice as likely to develop long COVID after two COVID infections when compared to children who have only had the illness once. Long COVID is a chronic illness triggered by COVID infection that lasts at least 3 months. Symptoms and conditions associated with long COVID are varied, and include but aren’t limited to brain fog, increased heart rate, mood disorders, Myalgic encephalomyelitis-chronic fatigue syndrome, and Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Long COVID symptoms more common in children include behavioral issues, irritability, and asthma. This research project, known as the RECOVER Initiative, is being led by scientists at the University of Pennsylvania and aims to better understand the long-term impacts of COVID infections on health. Scientists analyzed data from over 460,000 children, adolescents, and young adults across 40 pediatric hospitals who were diagnosed with their first COVID infection around January 2022. Some of these young people went on to develop a second case of COVID within the year. At the end of 2023, researchers compared health data from participants who had experienced one COVID infection with those who had experienced multiple infections. The results of this study contribute to the growing body of scientific evidence suggesting a cumulative, harmful effect of repeated COVID-19 infections on the body. These findings also underscore the importance of promoting COVID vaccines in younger populations to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 infections and the risk of subsequently developing long COVID.
Massachusetts Strengthens Public Health via Northeast Coalition and Releases New COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance
Earlier this month, the state Department of Public Health (DPH) released COVID-19 vaccine guidance for 2025-2026 as the respiratory illness season approaches. The guidance, released just ahead of the ACIP meeting held last week, recommends that all adults and children aged 23 months to 6 years old receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, DPH recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for individuals at higher risk for disease or exposure, pregnant or lactating individuals, and those who are immunocompromised. Notably, the guidance mirrors recommendations released by the newly formed Northeast Public Health Collaborative, a voluntary regional coalition of public health agencies and leaders, last week, of which Massachusetts is a member. The coalition’s recommendations are notably more expansive than those expected to be issued by the CDC, are backed by science, and are consistent with U.S. professional medical societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. The collaborative effort, informally established earlier this year, represents a Massachusetts-led effort to synchronize public health policies between neighboring states and strengthen public health infrastructure. Members of the coalition include Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New York City, representing a concerted effort by the Northeast to bolster public trust in vaccines amid the Trump administration’s attempts to undermine that trust. In addition to vaccine recommendations and purchasing, the coalition will focus on emergency preparedness and response, data collection and analysis, infectious disease, epidemiology and laboratory capacity and services. The full DPH vaccine guidance and the Northeast Public Health Collaborative’s consensus statement are available here.
A Glimpse at the Past Week
My weekends are always filled with community events made possible by our amazing local organizations. On a recent Saturday, I had a blast at the Cambridge Community Center (CCC) “Roast in the Coast" block party and the Central Square Night Market, which made for a full day and evening of joy and hope. The CCC has been serving our community for nearly 100 years and is still going strong despite losing federal dollars and foundation support, and the Central Square Business Improvement District (BID) keeps Central vibrant and grounded in the community. When we come together to eat, dance, support local businesses, and reconnect with each other, we are showing our resistance in the face of attacks on our community’s safety and well-being.
Congratulations to the honorees and organizers of the annual Black Biz Ball, including Imam "Flash" Firmin, whose mother, Marie, laid the foundation for what would become this event. The Black Biz Ball is a powerful recognition of members of our community who are building thriving businesses, making our communities stronger, and providing essential services with their creative talents, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Black Biz Ball recognizes and uplifts the hard work and determination it takes to not only launch a business, but to sustain it. This is a space of incredible joy with seeing so many people come together to cheer each other on. I’m so grateful to always be a part of this special night and, more importantly, to provide support to Black-owned businesses in our community and beyond.
On Sunday, I cheered on the many friends and neighbors who crossed the finish line at the annual Paddy’s 5k. Paddy’s is a Cambridge institution that has been owned and run by women for three generations. The Allen family’s commitment to our community, particularly girls’ sports, is incredible. I was especially excited to join their dedication of a moment to Ruby Reds Coach Steve McAuliffe. Steve has spent decades uplifting hundreds of girls, not only through coaching, but also helping them find their voices through advocating for visibility and equity in girls' sports.
I was honored to join Ruthie Liberman of EMPath and Karina Jimenez Lewis of the Annie E. Casey Foundation on a panel on poverty at the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center’s Focus2025 conference on Wednesday. The session, “From Feeding the Poor to Asking Why the Poor Have No Food: Tackling Systemic Poverty in Massachusetts,” was moderated by Chelsea Sedani of MassBudget. We had a great discussion about what it means to live in poverty, why poverty is a systemic failure rather than an individual failure, and what we can do to ensure that people can meet their needs.
I highlighted my ongoing anti-poverty work with Senator Sal DiDomenico, most recently in co-chairing the Poverty Commission, which just released its final report, and filing an omnibus anti-poverty bill. We need to pull multiple policy levers because there is no one root cause of poverty or one path out of poverty. An Act Significantly Alleviating Poverty (HD4622), or the ASAP Act, focuses on direct cash benefits, worker rights and wages, and wealth-building opportunities. The policies in this bill are the most effective tools we have to substantially alleviate financial hardship and build economic security, which we know not only from the recommendations of the Commission, but also from years of studies and pilot programs.
Thank you to MassBudget for lifting up this important issue and for bringing together elected officials — including Congressman Jim McGovern via Zoom — advocates, and community members to discuss the current state of public policy, deepen relationships, and envision new possibilities for the future. I am grateful for the opportunity to have these conversations at a time when the federal government is slashing funding for food assistance, Head Start, and other essential programs that serve people living in poverty.
Huge thanks to IBEW Local 103 Business Manager Lou Antonellis for inviting me to be a guest on his On the Job podcast. Lou and I discussed how I learned about the power of organized labor at a young age and how fighting for workers’ rights has been a driving force in my career. We know that when workers are paid their worth and have good benefits, everyone wins — we need less government intervention, and people are healthy, thriving, and able to take care of their families. It also ensures that they can have the joy and hope that provide a quality of life worth striving for. You can watch or listen to the podcast episode here.
Cambridge Updates
Street Closures for Fall Classic 5k Road Race This Weekend
There will be street closures and traffic impacts on Sunday, October 5 for the Fall Classic 5k Road Race. Sidney Street will be closed 9:00 – 11:00 AM from Franklin St. to Pacific St. and Franklin Street will be closed 9:15 – 11:00 AM from Brookline St. to Sidney St. There will be additional rolling street closures during the race. Details are available here.
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
Recent Press
Alison Kuznitz, State House News Service
Dr. Christina Briscoe, who treats more than 80 children in Lawrence, said she lost her team member in July when federal grant funding for the position was rescinded.
"She built trust, guided families through the door, coordinated appointments and connected parents to community resources," Briscoe, who testified on behalf of Boston Children's Hospital, told the Public Health Committee. "She helped families whose babies were struggling from epilepsy get everything from diapers to winter coats, and without her, I cannot adequately serve these families and children."
Briscoe joined providers advocating for legislation sponsored by committee co-chair Rep. Marjorie Decker and Sen. Robyn Kennedy (H 359 / S 251) that would require public and private health insurers to cover the cost of services offered by community health workers, including health education, outreach, patient navigation, social and emotional support, and self-advocacy skill-building. The workers can support behavioral health, mental health and substance use disorder services, among other care areas.
"I think the challenge again for the Legislature is going to be is that we're not going to be able to substitute dollar for dollar, not only government federal dollars, but also grants that get taken," Decker told Briscoe. "But the larger challenge and opportunity is to figure out how do we maximize dollars. And I think what we're hearing is that the community health workers are about prevention, as well as preventing acceleration of any worsening health outcomes and making sure people get the care they need before it becomes even more costly."
In case you missed it: Last week, I joined Boston 25’s Kerry Kavanaugh to discuss my bill, An Act expanding access to perimenopause and menopause care. This legislation seeks to alleviate the confusion and stigma around menopause and perimenopause by establishing a commission on perimenopause and menopause care, education, coverage, and its impact on the workforce. It will also require the Department of Public Health to develop a public health awareness campaign to increase menopause and perimenopause awareness and treatment options.
Thank you to Kerry and the Boston 25 team for having me in the studio to discuss this important legislation, which takes on particular meaning during October, Menopause Awareness Month. You can watch the interview in its entirety here.
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
