Cooler weather is here, children are back at school, the legislature is back in session, and we expect public health priorities to begin heating up. So of course MPHA is hard at work, and we have a lot to share in this month's newsletter!
First, MPHA continues to lead the effort to reauthorize the state's
Prevention & Wellness Trust Fund. Established by the Legislature in 2012, this fund is a national model for improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs, while also combating persistent health inequities. I am delighted to report that MPHA recently delivered a
letter to the chairs of the Legislature's Health Care Financing Committee with over 160 signatures supporting the Fund's reauthorization! See below for more specifics on the wide range of state and community leaders who have signed on to this important effort.
Second, while MPHA focuses on state policy efforts to promote health equity, we cannot remain silent in the face of ongoing federal attacks against our immigrant neighbors. As a result, MPHA has joined nine other organizations in signing an
Amicus Brief, filed by Lawyers for Civil Rights, as part of a pending lawsuit that challenges the federal government's expansion of the public charge rule. See below for more information on how the newly defined rule would harm immigrant families and undermine public health goals. We will keep you posted as this moves through the courts.
Earlier this month, MPHA was thrilled to co-host the
Western Massachusetts Transportation Forum. This first-of-its-kind event brought together more that 100 people to discuss public investment in transportation equity in Western Massachusetts.
Looking ahead, we hope you can join us for the
Right to Food Rally on September 24 at the State House in Boston, and at our
Annual Conference & Expo in Worcester on November 13, featuring a keynote presentation by Ronnie Galvin, Vice President for Racial Equity and the Democratic Economy at the Democracy Collaborative. Ronnie will be speaking about the need for racial justice and community wealth building in our struggle for greater health equity.
Early bird tickets end soon, so buy them now!
Finally, we want people to know that MPHA has just kicked off a new strategic planning process. In the coming months our strategic planning committee - which includes staff, board, and policy council members - will be thinking carefully about our most strategic opportunities, the challenges we face, and the strengths that MPHA has and will build to face them. We look forward to sharing this work with you as we move forward!
Thank you, as always, for your partnership and support,
Carlene Pavlos
Executive Director
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