January 4, 2012
The Massachusetts House of Representatives returned to session today after a seven week recess. Before the recess the House passed An Act Relative to Gender Identity, which was signed into law by the Governor on November 23, 2011. The House passed An Act Relative to the Commercial Exploitation of People which was signed into law by the Governor on November 21, 2011. The House also passed An Act Establishing Expanded Gaming in the Commonwealth and An Act Relative to Sentencing and Improving Law Enforcement Tools, both of which I voted against.
The MBTA has rolled out their new plan to decrease their deficit. If you would like to contact the MBTA regarding their proposal you can do so by emailing them at fareproposal@mbta.com, by mail to MBTA, Ten Park Plaza Boston, MA 02116, Attention: Fare Proposal Committee, by calling them at 617-222-3200 or by attending a public meeting (see link) http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/public_meetings/ beginning January 17-early March.
June 15, 2011
House passes additional funding targeted at programs reducing violence among youth. I voted to provide youth violence prevention programs additional funding for the remaining 2011 fiscal year. The House Supplemental Budget requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to administer $10 million in grants for programs targeted at reducing youth violence among young individuals at highest risk of being perpetrators or victims of gun violence. Additionally, the House budget provides funds to municipalities with the highest number of youth homicides and serious assaults.
June 6, 2011
“An Act relative to a Public Housing Innovation Program” filed jointly by myself and Senator Chandler has been advanced favorably by the Joint Committee on Housing. For more information on this bill please see the press release section.
April 30, 2011
The House Fiscal Year 2012 Budget increased the Public Health Budget by $9 million. Below is a detailed look at the Public Health Budget:
The FY12 consolidated amendment for Public Health contains the following:
$375,000 is provided to the Food Protection Program (4510-0020) to carry out mandated food inspections and related activities that identify and prevent food-borne illness that could potentially harm public health.
$889,889 is provided for SEAL Dental Program (4510-0025) to improve the oral health of MassHealth eligible and underserved school-aged children in elementary and middle school. This program will increase access to oral health preventive services and referrals for restorative treatment and follow-up as part of the school-based sealant program.
$2.5 million is provided to HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment and Services (4512-0103) for direct care services for persons living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS in the Commonwealth. Funded at $33,597,810 for FY12, these prevention education, counseling, testing and clinical services help reduce the number of new HIV infections, identify new cases, as well as maintain and improve the health status of those living with HIV/AIDS will continue.
$125,000 is provided to Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (4512-0200) for a total of $75,310,802 for FY12 support the division within the Department of Public Health (DPH) that oversees substance abuse and gambling prevention and treatment services throughout the Commonwealth.
$2.4 million is provided to Substance Abuse Step-Down Recovery Services (4512-0201) to support a comprehensive array of step-down services within the continuum of substance abuse services. These services, funded at $4,800,000 for FY12, will help ensure long-term recovery for individuals recovering from substance abuse.
$300,000 is provided to Family Health Services (4513-1000) for a total of $3,959,311 for FY12 to promote comprehensive family planning services for low-income women, men, and adolescents. Programs include HIV counseling and testing and community-based health education and outreach services.
$500,000 is provided to Women, Infants, and Children’s Nutritional Services (4513-1002) to provide nutrition education, counseling, and access to nutritious foods for undernourished infants and children with growth deficiencies. As a result of this program, funded at $10,266,617 for FY12, infant mortality rates are lower, pregnancy outcomes are improved, rates of growth for infants are greater, and immunization rates for children are higher.
$2.5 million is provided to Early Intervention Services (4513-1020) to help children with diagnosed disabilities and those at risk for developmental delays acquire skills critical to their future success. Funded at $23,991,404 for FY12, approximately an additional 1,500 children will receive services to foster and increase positive developmental outcomes for children and to assist their families in these efforts.
$1.9 million is provided to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (4513-1111) to maintain eligibility for the four federal matching funds obtained in FY11. This account, which is funded at $3,400,000 for FY12, supports a range of fundamental public health programs that prevent and control the most common preventable health conditions that are the largest drivers of health care costs. Funding provides preventive screenings for the early detection and treatment of many chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. It supports Mass in Motion, heart disease and stroke public education, and The Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety and Medical Error Reduction. This account is essential to manage chronic disease and to reduce health disparities across the Commonwealth.
Supports Matching Funds for Federal Emergency Preparedness Grant (4516-1010) for FY12 at $2,277,134 as required by the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act to improve the ability to detect and respond to an array of public health emergencies, including bioterrorism, emerging infectious diseases, and natural disasters.
$335,280 is provided to Smoking Prevention and Cessation Programs (4590-0300) to support tobacco cessation efforts. Funded at $4,485,983 for FY12, the program will continue to prevent youth from starting use of tobacco products, protect the public from exposure to second-hand smoke, persuade and help tobacco users to quit, and to identify and eliminate health disparities related to tobacco use.
$2,008 is provided to Pediatric Palliative Care (4590-1503) for a total of $788,452 for FY12 to support services that assist eligible children under the age of 19 years with a life-limiting illness and their families or guardians to achieve improved quality of life during the course of illness.
Funded at $1,500,000 for FY12, Violence Prevention Grants (4590-1506) will support local programs proven successful in empowering communities to reach out to young people and help them make the decision to turn away from crime and violence and become thriving individuals.
$200,000 is provided to Youth At-Risk Matching Grants (4590-1507) for a number of organizations, non-profit community centers, and youth development programs that offer services that give youth the opportunity to succeed. Funded at $1,700,000 for FY12, prevention and counseling services for teen violence, delinquency, dropout, and drug abuse will continue.
Requires DPH to implement methods to reduce medication waste and to allow patients to take home bulk medications as prescribed upon discharge from a health care facility.
Requires DPH and the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a study of the environmental effects of medication waste.
Creates a Lyme Disease Commission to investigate and study the incidence and impacts of Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases in the Commonwealth.
April 21, 2011
The House will be debating the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget the week of May 25. As always we appreciate your input in this important legislative process.
March 22, 2011
Thus far in this legislative session, we have been very productive filing bills that will further protect and promote the interests of my constituents. This means targeting legislation that addresses issues such as affordable housing, employment, and public health initiatives.
December 5, 2010
The legislative session concluded in the end of July. We are currently preparing for the upcoming legislative session by having conversations with constituents and community groups, and by filing bills. I am looking forward to the new session beginning in January, one that will prove challenging but rewarding to the Commonwealth.