Things are moving for healthy equity policies!

Massachusetts Public Health Association

Action for Equity in Health

May 2019

I am very pleased to announce that after years of advocacy from MPHA and partners like you, the Massachusetts Food Trust Program is poised to distribute its first round of loans and grants to retailers expanding healthy food access in high need communities across the Commonwealth. Persistence truly pays off! Stay tuned for an announcement of the recipients coming soon.

Last week, the Senate Ways and Means Committee released its FY20 budget proposal. The proposal includes a number of important public health priorities and follows a strong proposal from the House. While we are very pleased to see support for programs that promote health equity from the legislature, there is still more work to do to make sure key programs are included in the final FY20 budget. Read below to learn more.

Last month, MPHA's Board voted to endorse four new pieces of legislation. These bills will address timely and urgent health equity concerns. They include a bill to allow supervised injection facilities in Massachusetts, a bill addressing lead in drinking water in schools, and two bills to increase access to affordable housing. Learn more here.

Lastly, MPHA's Spring Awards Breakfast is less than a month away! Please join us on Friday, June 7th to celebrate public health accomplishments and to honor health equity champions. May 31st is the last day to reserve your seat. RSVP here.

In partnership,

Carlene Pavlos
Executive Director

Policy Notes

Senate Budget Proposal Strong on Public Health Priorities: Action Still Needed on Key Programs

Last week, Senate Ways and Means released its FY20 budget proposal. This was a very strong budget proposal for public health. It includes new funding for the State Action for Public Health Excellence (SAPHE) Program in addition to requested funding for several of MPHA's priority programs: The Massachusetts Food Trust , Childhood Lead Prevention, Mass in Motion, and the Bureau of Environmental Health, as well as language supporting public access to MassHealth data on health related social needs.

While this is great news and we are grateful for the Senate's strong support for public health, we need to make sure that the final Senate budget includes requested funding for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) and the Get the Lead Out Program. Please c all your Senator by Friday, May 17th at noon and ask for her or his support for priority public health amendments.

To learn how and for more information, click here .

MPHA Endorses Bills on Supervised Injection Facilities, Affordable Housing, and Ensuring Safe Drinking Water in Schools

The MPHA Board voted to endorse the following pieces of legislation at its meeting on April 26, 2019.

An Act Relative to Preventing Overdose Deaths & Increasing Access to Treatment (H1712) by Representatives Fernandes and Gouveia.
An Act Ensuring Safe Drinking Water At Schools (S500/H774) by Senator Lovely and Representative Ehrlich.
Right to Counsel for Tenants Facing Eviction (S913/H3456,H1537) by Senator DiDomenico, Representative Tyler, and Representatives Rogers and Day.
An Act Promoting Housing Opportunity and Mobility through Eviction Sealing (HOMES) Act (S824/H3566) by Senator Boncore and Representative Moran.

If you have questions regarding MPHA's endorsement of these bills, please contact Maddie Ribble at: [email protected].

Legislators Briefed on SAPHE Act and Findings and Recommendations of the Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health

On May 7th, MPHA and partners briefed legislators on the State Action for Public Health Excellence (SAPHE) Act and gave a preview of the findings and recommendations of the Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health.

MPHA Executive Director Carlene Pavlos emceed the program. Speakers included: DPH Commissioner Monica Bharel; Representatives Kane and Garlick; Senator Lewis; Eileen McAnneny, Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation; Kevin Mizikar, Massachusetts Municipal Association; Mayor Brian Arrigo of Revere; Harold Cox, Boston University School of Public Health; Sam Wong, Framingham Health Department; and Phoebe Walker, Franklin Regional Council of Governments.


	MPHA staff and PWTF supporters pose with Chairwoman Comerford and Chairman Mahoney following the Public Health Committee Hearing on May 7th.

Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund (PWTF) and State Action for Public Health Excellence (SAPHE) Bills Heard Before the Public Health Committee

Two of MPHA's priority bills were among eight pieces of legislation heard before the Joint Committee on Public Health at its first hearing of the current session on May 7th. MPHA was joined by partners across the state to testify in support of the PWTF and SAPHE.

Please join us in requesting that the Committee report both bills out favorably. Click here to learn more.

MPHA News

MPHA and Children's Hospital Visit Vicente's Tropical Grocery in Brockton

MPHA Policy & Field Team members Maddie Ribble and Kristina Kimani joined partners from the Local Enterprise Assistance Fund (LEAF) and Boston Children's Hospital for a site visit at Vicente's Tropical Grocery in Brockton, MA on April 29th. Vicente's is a candidate for MA Food Trust Program funding and has plans to renovate and expand its produce section at its flagship store in downtown Brockton.

Funding from Boston Children's Hospital is supporting MPHA's advocacy campaign for the MA Food Trust Program, as well as some of the operational needs of the two program administrators -- LEAF and Franklin County CDC.


	MPHA Coalition and Advocacy Manager Kristina Kimani

Congratulations to MPHA's Coalition and Advocacy Manager Kristina Kimani on her Recent Election in Stoughton

MPHA congratulates our Coalition and Advocacy Manager Kristina Kimani on her recent election as a Stoughton Town Meeting Representative. Kristina was elected on April 9, 2019 to serve a three-year term as Town Meeting Representative for Precinct 4 in Stoughton. She was also selected by her precinct to serve on the Committee on Intergovernmental Relations, which is responsible for studying issues that affect the relations of the town with other municipalities, regional government bodies, and agencies of county, state, and federal government.

Kristina is excited to actively participate on matters critical to the present and future of Stoughton and looks forward to contributing her knowledge of public health and passion for social justice and equity.

Events

Less than a month away! Join us at MPHA's Spring Awards Breakfast on Friday, June 7th

Friday, May 31st is the last day of ticket sales. Don't miss out on this opportunity to network with public health colleagues and celebrate health equity champions! Reserve your seat today.