Local & Regional Public Health – Amendment #485
The Commonwealth’s decentralized approach to delivering public health services leads to extreme variability and inequities across municipalities. Now is the time to transform our local public health system to better protect residents during the remainder of the COVID-19 crisis and to meet future threats. This amendment by Rep. Hannah Kane & Chair Denise Garlick will allocate $23.4 million to support a public health system that provides all residents with high-quality protections – regardless of their race, income, or zip code.
Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) – Two Amendments
The state’s 15 RTAs are a lifeline to millions in the 250+ cities and towns beyond the reach of the MBTA, providing access to medical care, food, jobs, and other basic needs. These amendments by Rep. Sarah Peake remove language that would hold back a portion of RTA funding as discretionary grants and instead dedicates $94 million to support core investments in service improvements, including weekend and evening hours and paratransit for people with disabilities. (There are no numbers yet for these amendments, but Representatives can co-sponsor by contacting Rep. Peake’s office.)
Mass in Motion – Amendment #164
Mass in Motion, which currently operates in nearly 70 rural, urban, and suburban communities, addresses the inequitable burden of preventable chronic diseases by promoting opportunities for safe physical activity and access to healthy affordable food. This amendment by Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa will double state Mass in Motion funding to $1 million, allowing the program to expand into dozens of additional communities.
Lifting Kids Out of Deep Poverty – Amendment #83
Cash assistance is intended to meet families' basic needs, but grants have lost half their value since 1988 due to inflation. As a result, too many Massachusetts families are living in deep poverty, meaning their income is below half of the federal poverty level. The impact of deep poverty on kids is often severe, including negative impacts on physical and mental health, impaired school performance, housing instability, and homelessness. This amendment by Chair Marjorie Decker will raise cash assistance grants by 20% as a step toward ending deep poverty.
Passing these amendments will be an important step towards achieving health equity in our state. Please take a moment to contact your State Representative today and ask them to become cosponsors!
