Dear friends,
I am writing to you today with legislative, public health, and Cambridge updates.
Table of Contents
South Shore Poverty Commission Hearing
Legislative Updates
Public Health Updates
A Glimpse at the Past Week
Cambridge Updates
Services and Resources
South Shore Poverty Commission Hearing
On Wednesday afternoon, Senator Sal DiDomenico and I chaired the third and final public hearing of the Massachusetts Poverty Commission at UMass Dartmouth. The locations of each hearing — held in Springfield, Cambridge, and Dartmouth over the past four months — reflect the geographical diversity of Massachusetts. As mentioned in previous newsletters, we were tasked by the Senate President and Speaker of the House, respectively, to co-chair the Commission based on our history of leadership on anti-poverty legislation in the State House. The Commission is charged with creating a set of recommendations that would significantly reduce poverty in the Commonwealth over the next 10 years. The Commission is composed of over 30 individuals representing state agencies, anti-poverty nonprofits, and academic institutions who will work with us to come up with the recommendations.
I was grateful to hear testimony from organizations and individuals doing anti-poverty work in the region, learning what was working to alleviate poverty, the barriers they continue to face, and generally about the geographic-specific context. Thank you to everyone who came to testify. You can watch a recording of the hearing on the Legislature’s website here.
Legislative Updates
Governor Signs Long-Term Care Bill Into Law
Today, Governor Healey signed into law An Act to improve quality and oversight of long-term care. This legislation includes sweeping reforms to the long-term care and assisted living sectors, including enhancing oversight of facilities and supporting and expanding the workforce. In November, the House adopted an amendment based on An Act relative to certified medication aides, a bill that we saw as an opportunity to quickly address the healthcare workforce shortage and reported out favorably from the Joint Committee on Public Health. This provision creates a career ladder for CNAs, establishes a framework that addresses patient safety, and aims to expand diversity within the healthcare workforce, which has been a priority across the state.
The pandemic exacerbated the workforce and financial challenges the Commonwealth’s nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have long been facing. With the signing of today’s bill, Massachusetts prioritizes access to quality care, strengthens the long-term care sector, and puts the safety and well-being of long-term care and nursing home residents first. Thank you to Speaker Ron Mariano for prioritizing the well-being of older adults in Massachusetts, to Chair Tom Stanley for leading this work in the Committee on Elder Affairs, and to the members of the conference committee for their diligent work on this legislation.
I was honored to speak in support of this bill in November, rising in support of Amendment #8. Watching my mom work as a nursing aid in Cambridge, I know how important these career ladders are to help increase wages, training opportunities, and bolster the workforce. You can watch my speech in support here starting at 1:04:56.
As you may recall, I wrote to you about this bill in November when it passed the House, and you can read that newsletter here.
Governor Signs FY24 Supplemental Budget into Law
The Governor signed a FY24 supplemental budget into law last week, which among its many provisions, ratified collective bargaining agreements, directed funding to support both the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition services in reaching anticipated caseloads, and added tribal governments as eligible entities to receive funding through the broadband municipal grant program.
Notably, the supplemental budget also included the final $20 million needed to bridge the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds lost as a result of congressional inaction. The VOCA directs the federal government to appropriate money to organizations that provide programming to survivors of crime, such as bedrock organizations like Transition House and the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) which both are based in Cambridge.
In 2021, Congress failed to appropriate $60 million to restore funds necessary for VOCA programming in Massachusetts that had been depleted over time. I have led the efforts to restore this funding over the past 3+ years, and had previously secured $40 million. I am grateful for the advocacy and partnership from the Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance (MOVA), as well as the support and leadership of Speaker Ron Mariano and House Ways & Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz to appropriate the final $20 million in funding in this supplemental budget.
Other Notable Bills Signed Into Law Since the Last Newsletter
Since the last newsletter, many bills that the Legislature passed have been signed into law. I have written to you about several of them already, so here are the summaries of some other notable ones:
An Act criminalizing sexual assault by fraud of a medical professional: This legislation protects vulnerable individuals by ensuring that Massachusetts can prosecute health care professionals and clergy members who influence patients or clients to engage in sexual activity under the guise of treatment or counseling.
An Act regulating the use of elephants, big cats, primates, giraffes, and bears in traveling exhibits and shows: This legislation protects animal welfare by banning the use of elephants, lions, giraffes and other animals in traveling acts like circuses.
An Act to rename the Massachusetts rehabilitation commission, massability, to reflect the self-determination and limitless possibilities of people with disabilities: This bill renames the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) to MassAbility, reflecting the intention to empower individuals living with disabilities and move away from outdated terminology. It also removes offensive terminology in the General Laws referring to people with disabilities.
An Act to increase kennel safety, aka Ollie's law: This bill imposes new statewide guardrails around kennels and borders, requiring facilities be licensed for a maximum number of animals under their care at once, and be inspected by local officials at least annually.
Public Health Updates
I am happy to continue sharing these public health updates. I wanted to also let you know that I provide public health updates like this to my colleagues each week in my capacity as the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health. I do this as a service to help my colleagues keep their constituents informed.
HHS Restarts Free COVID-19 Test Program
As cases of a new COVID-19 variant, XEC, rise across the United States, the federal government has restarted its free at-home COVID-19 testing program in preparation for the fall and winter season. Starting yesterday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is offering another round of free COVID-19 tests for families nationwide. Every U.S. household is eligible to order up to 4 at-home tests shipped for free by the USPS as soon as next week. The tests will be available to order at COVIDTests.gov, which also includes additional information to learn more about COVID-19 testing. The available tests also include a more accessible option for people with disabilities to use at ACL.gov/AccessibleTests.
Guidance on Vaccinations
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health urges residents to get vaccinated to help prevent illness and severe disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published its recommendations on the annual flu shot, recommending routine annual influenza vaccination for all persons aged ≥ 6 months who do not have contraindications. Everyone aged 6 months and older is also recommended to receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19. Find a vaccine location near you at mass.gov/CovidVaccine. For this upcoming RSV season, the CDC recommends everyone ages 75 and older receive the RSV vaccine and people ages 60–74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV. Learn more about the ways to protect yourself and others from getting sick, through testing, treatment, and other preventative measures here.
DPH Identifies Toxic Algae Bloom in Charles River
The Department of Public Health (DPH) recently issued a public health advisory for the parts of the Charles River running along the Longfellow Bridge due to a significant bloom of cyanobacteria, a type of blue-green algae that naturally occurs in fresh water. According to the Charles River Watershed Association, this is the first major cyanobacteria bloom in the Charles River in four years. Cyanobacteria turn the surface of affected bodies of water blue or blue-green in color and may release cyanotoxins into the area, harming human and animal health. They may cause skin irritation, diarrhea, or death in extreme cases. Common routes of exposure include ingestion, inhalation, or skin and eye contact with contaminated water. The best way to avoid exposure to cyanotoxins is to avoid contact with affected water. More information about toxic algae blooms in Massachusetts can be found here.
New Research Suggests Compound Found in Common Personal Products May be Linked to Early Puberty
Rates of precocious puberty have been rising for decades. Precocious puberty, commonly known as early puberty, refers to puberty that begins before the age of 8 in girls and children assigned female at birth and before the age of 9 in boys and children assigned male at birth. A child who starts puberty significantly early may experience long-term health effects even into adulthood, including higher risks of breast cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Researchers have proposed several possible causes of precocious puberty, such as obesity and socioeconomic status, but new research from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences suggests that exposure to musk ambrette, a compound found in a variety of products, may influence the timing of puberty. Musk ambrette is a synthetic chemical that is used in a wide variety of inexpensive or counterfeit fragrances and other scented personal care products. While additional research is needed to determine the exact link between musk ambrette and precocious puberty, it should be noted that the compound has been removed from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s “generally recognized as safe” list.
A Glimpse at the Past Week
On Thursday, I attended the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health's (MAMH) Annual Friend & Leader Award Dinner. Through their unwavering dedication, this year's awardees have significantly impacted youth mental health and worked alongside MAMH to create impactful, long-lasting change for Massachusetts.
It was a joy to see my colleagues, Representatives Ruth Balser and Kay Khan and Senator Cynthia Creem, receive the Partner in Progress Award for their remarkable work on mental health within the Legislature. Each of the awardees' work is truly inspiring and motivates us to continue our efforts in the field of mental health.
I am grateful to have worked with MAMH on my own work reforming children’s behavioral and mental healthcare over the last few sessions and to have been awarded the Spirit of Compassion Award with my Joint Committee on Public Health co-Chair Julian Cyr in 2021.
Cambridge Updates
MBTA Income-Eligible Reduced Fare Program
At the beginning of this month, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced expanded access to reduced fares for income-eligible riders. The new program provides riders 18-64 who have low income with reduced one-way and round-trip fares of approximately 50% off on all MBTA buses, subway, Commuter Rail, ferries, and paratransit (The RIDE) travel.
Program participants can demonstrate eligibility via existing enrollment in programs with a cutoff of 200 percent of the federal poverty level (or lower), including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Transitional Assistance for Families and Dependent Children (TAFDC), Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled & Children (EAEDC), MassHealth CarePlus, MassHealth Family Assistance, MassHealth Limited, MassHealth Standard, and MASSGrant. You can learn more and apply for the program at mbta.com/fares/reduced/income-eligible
MBTA Hosting Public Meeting on Red Line Hi-Rail Access Tunnel Project
On Monday, September 30, the MBTA will host a virtual meeting to discuss the Red Line Hi-Rail Access Tunnel Project. This construction project at the Alewife station will provide hi-rail access for work vehicles along the Red Line. Currently, the only access tunnel for these vehicles is at the Charles/MGH station. This construction will enable shorter and less frequent Red Line shutdowns, faster commutes, and easier repairs. You can learn more about the event here, and register for the Zoom here.
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.
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
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