Governor Baker Proposes Cuts to Local Public Health
 
Governor Baker’s proposed budget was released yesterday, and despite level funding for most programs, it included a 33% reduction in funding for local public health. “A proposed cut to local public health in the midst of a continuing global pandemic defies both logic and common sense,” said MPHA Executive Director Carlene Pavlos. The budget process now moves to the House and then the Senate. MPHA will share more information and opportunities to speak up for full funding of local public health programs in the coming weeks. To read our full press statement, click here.
The SAPHE 2.0 Bill Earns Positive Vote from Committee
 
In an important step towards reforming our local public health system, the Statewide Accelerated Public Health for Every Community Act (SAPHE 2.0, | H438) recently earned a favorable report from the Joint Committee on Public Health! Thanks to Chair Marjorie Decker, Chair Jo Comerford and Public Health Committee members for their strong support. The bill now moves to the Health Care Finance Committee for consideration. We are grateful to our legislative champions – Senator Jo Comerford, Chair Denise Garlick, and Representative Hannah Kane – for advancing this critical legislation, which will establish minimum health standards for every community, credential public health workers, create uniform data collection and reporting systems and build a state funding mechanism for local boards of health. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks on how you can help pass the SAPHE 2.0 Bill!
Nominate Your Public Health Hero!
 
MPHA will host our 20th Annual Spring Awards Breakfast on June 3, 2022! Help us honor the outstanding work of our colleagues in the public health community by nominating your public health heroes today. This year we will be awarding the first-ever Local Public Health Leadership Award, which will recognize an outstanding individual working within the field of municipal public health. We are also seeking nominations for the Paul Revere Award, MPHA’s highest honor, as well as a number of additional awards (click here to see the full list). To nominate a public health hero, please submit your nomination by 5pm on February 4, 2022. Thank you for your participation!
Your Help Needed to Enact Moratorium on Prison Construction

Raise your voice for public health by supporting the Jail/Prison Construction Moratorium Bill (S2030/H1905)! This legislation would create a five-year pause on jail and prison construction, allowing funds to be used instead for viable alternatives to incarceration and community investment. Importantly, the bill would also stop construction of the new $50M women's prison. The Senate version of the bill has advanced out of the State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Committee, but the House bill is still pending in the Judiciary Committee. Our partners at Families for Justice as Healing and the National Council are ​hosting a weekend of action this weekend. To sign up, click here. Thank you for your support!
MPHA and Coalition Express Gratitude for Service

On behalf of the Coalition for Local Public Health, MPHA would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Sigalle Reiss as she steps down from her term as president of the Massachusetts Health Officers Association (MHOA). “Sigalle has been an inspirational leader and a stalwart partner throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said MPHA Assistant Policy Director Kristina Kimani. “Her determination, commitment and unflagging support for local public health workers have been invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for her service.” MPHA would also like to extend a warm welcome to Rae Dick, the new president of MHOA.
Massachusetts Public Health Association
(857) 263-7072 | @mapublichealth | mapublichealth.org
‌