In FY 22, MPHA’s policy priorities reflected our commitment to addressing the health impacts and economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we worked to advance health equity across the Commonwealth by addressing the underlying causes of health inequities, including poverty and racism. 

Access to Healthy Affordable Food

• Securing funding for the Massachusetts Food Trust.
• Supporting the Mass in Motion Program.
  • Closing the SNAP Gap.

Transportation Justice

• Convening the Regional Transit Authority Advocates Coalition (RTAAC) to fund and modernize Regional Transit Authorities.
• Passing An Act to Increase Regional Transit Accessibility in the Commonwealth.
• Passing An Act Relative to Transportation & Environmental Justice.

Moving Healthcare Upstream

• Convening the Alliance for Community Health Integration.
• Restoring the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund.

Transforming Local Public Health

• Passing the Statewide Accelerated Public Health for Every Community (SAPHE 2.0) Act.
• Securing state and federal funding to create a 21st century local public health system.
• Supporting the Coalition for Local Public Health.

Responding to COVID-19

• Ensuring emergency paid sick time for every Massachusetts worker.
• Supporting the Vaccine Equity Now! Coalition.
• Advocating for equity in the state’s COVID vaccination program by improving outreach to hard-hit populations, including low-income communities of color, and increasing transparency and accountability.

Expanding Access to Quality, Affordable Housing

• Stabilizing housing and avoiding mass eviction by passing the COVID-19 Housing Equity Bill.
• Supporting eviction sealing and the right to counsel.
• Generating significant funding for new affordable housing by supporting the Housing and Environment Revenue Opportunities (HERO) Act.
• Building partnerships for affordable housing and health equity.

Supporting Ballot Questions

• Supporting Question 1: The Fair Share Amendment.
• Supporting Question 4 for Safer Roads.