Proposed Investments Will Transform Broken System

BOSTON, MA – Today, the Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA) issued the following statement in response to the release of the Senate Ways and Means Committee’s ARPA bill, which allocates $250M over five years towards improving the state’s local public health system.   

“The public health investments in this bill will truly be transformational,” said Maddie Ribble, Director of Public Policy at the Massachusetts Public Health Association. “After decades of debate, this funding will finally set Massachusetts on a path to fix our broken local public health system and ensure that every resident – regardless of income, race or zip code – has access to real local health protections. We are extremely grateful for the commitment and decisive leadership of Senate President Karen Spilka, Chair Michael Rodrigues, and Vice Chair Cindy Friedman, as well as for the tireless advocacy of Senator Jo Comerford.” 

Together with the SAPHE 2.0 legislation, this investment will implement the 2019 unanimous recommendations of the Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health, which established a blueprint for transforming our current system. 

“Today’s action follows upon crucial House investments led by Speaker Ron Mariano, Chair Aaron Michlewitz, and Chair Marjorie Decker and years of advocacy by Chair Denise Garlick and Representative Hannah Kane,” said Ribble. “This is a truly a bipartisan, bi-cameral effort that will foster sustainable changes for decades to come.” 

Read the full release.