Speak Up for Local Public Health!
 
Next week, the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Ways and Means will be holding a virtual hearing on potential uses of the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that are coming to MA. The focus of the hearing will be on health care, mental health, public health and human services. MPHA and our allies will be holding an in-person press conference prior to the hearing, calling for a five-year infusion of $250.9M – just 5% of the total ARPA funds – to transform our inadequate and inequitable local public health system. Lend your voice to ensure that all MA residents are covered by strong public health protections, regardless of race, income or zip code! Click here to sign the open letter of support. To attend the virtual hearing on Tuesday, September 21 at 11:00 AM, click here. Check out MPHA's Twitter page all day on Tuesday for updates from the press conference and hearing.
MPHA Announces Keynote Speaker for Annual Conference 
 
MPHA is excited to announce that Xavier Morales, Executive Director of the Praxis Project, will be the keynote speaker for our virtual Annual Conference & Meeting on November 16. The Praxis Project has recently released a Social Determinants of Health Equity Framework, and Dr. Morales will share this as well as their focus on building community power to achieve health equity. We hope you will be able to join us for this educational and inspiring event! Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information on workshop topics and registration.
Action Needed on Housing Equity
 
Now that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)’s temporary eviction moratorium has been struck down by the Supreme Court, thousands of families across Massachusetts are facing eviction and foreclosure. Keeping residents safely housed is critical for fighting COVID-19 and achieving equitable health outcomes. The Legislature must step up and provide needed protections for renters, landlords and low-income homeowners by passing the COVID-19 Housing Equity Bill (H.1434/S.891)! If you have not yet taken action in support of this bill, it’s not too late. Click here to raise your voice for housing justice!
 
We are delighted to announce that Ana Hidalgo has joined MPHA as our new Development Manager! Previously, Ana served as a Prospect Research Analyst for the Philanthropy Division at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and as a Development Assistant for the Scholars Strategy Network. Ana earned her BA at Regis College and her MA in Integrated Marketing Communication at Suffolk University. In her free time, Ana enjoys listening to music on vinyl records, snuggling her cat Oliver, and spending time with her friends and family.
Massachusetts Public Health Association
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