Massachusetts Public Health Association
Final FY19 Budget Strong in Public Health Protections
On Thursday, July 26th, Governor Baker signed the FY19 budget maintaining core funding for MPHA priority programs at the Conference Budget level. While Governor Baker did veto some earmarks within a few of these programs, those vetoes were overridden by the legislature.
The final FY19 budget includes increased funding for the Bureau of Environmental Health and the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, level funding for the Massachusetts Food Trust Program and Mass in Motion Program, and increased funding for key social determinants of health including housing and transportation. It also includes language and funding for a new Office of Health Equity and funds environmental justice staff under the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
In addition, the FY19 budget includes language that will ensure the availability of MassHealth data about screening and interventions related to the social determinants of health (SDOH). This data is essential to understand the activities, successes, and challenges of ACOs and social service providers in responding to these needs. It will also allow the public to assess the availability of social services and identify any gaps that may exist by region, population, or service type. Read More
Strong Support for MPHA Budget Priorities in FY19 Conference Bill
On Wednesday, July 18th, the House and Senate released their state budget compromise for FY19. The budget compromise, known as the Conference Budget, is overall very strong in public health investment. It includes increased funding for the Bureau of Environmental Health and the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, level funding for the Massachusetts Food Trust Program and Mass in Motion Program, and increased funding for key social determinants of health including housing and transportation. It also includes language and funding for a new Office of Health Equity and funds environmental justice staff under the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
In addition, the Conference Budget includes language that will ensure the availability of MassHealth data about screening and interventions related to the social determinants of health (SDOH). This data is essential to understand the activities, successes, and challenges of ACOs and social service providers in responding to these needs. It will also allow the public to assess the availability of social services and identify any gaps that may exist by region, population, or service type.
MPHA is disappointed, however, that the Conference Budget did not include language establishing Massachusetts as a sanctuary state. MPHA endorsed the Safe Communities Act earlier this year because assuring all immigrants in Massachusetts that their rights will be protected and that they will be treated with dignity is important to the public health of all communities.
Read below for more detail on the FY19 Conference Budget.
New Funding for the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund Included in House Health Care Bill!
Community Health Workers pose for a photo after joining MPHA and its partners for PWTF lobby event at the State House on March 1, 2017
On Tuesday June 19th, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a major health care bill that includes funding for the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund (PWTF). This is a big win and important step in the campaign for continuation of PWTF, a first-in-the-nation program connecting clinical care and community interventions to address costly and preventable health conditions. The Massachusetts Senate passed its version of the health care bill last fall, which also included funding for continuation of PWTF.
Action Alert! Contact Your Senator Today for Health Equity in the Senate Budget
This week the Senate is deliberating on the fiscal year 2019 Senate Ways and Means budget proposal. Now is the time to act to make sure that essential public health funding is included in the FY19 budget.
Please contact your Senator TODAY and urge her or him to co-sponsor the important amendments listed below. Don’t forget to mention why the program or programs you are calling about are important to you.
To find your Senator’s contact information or to find out who your State Senator is, click here.
Please ask your Senator to co-sponsor the following amendments:
Action Alert! Contact Your Representative Today for Key Programs in the State Budget
This week the House is deliberating on the fiscal year 2019 House Ways and Means budget proposal. Now is the time to act to make sure that essential public health funding is included in the FY19 budget.
Please contact your Representative TODAY and urge him or her to co-sponsor the important amendments listed below. Don’t forget to mention why the program or programs you are calling about are important to you. Read More
Press Release: Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau Chief Takes the Helm of Massachusetts Public Health Association
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2018
Contact: Melanie O’Malley, (617) 949-6688.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Bureau Chief Takes the
Helm of Massachusetts Public Health Association
The Executive Board of the Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA) is pleased to announce its recent hire of Carlene Pavlos as its new Executive Director effective April 1, 2018. In this role, Ms. Pavlos will lead MPHA’s strategic vision and manage implementation of its organizational goals to further MPHA’s advocacy and policy successes advancing health equity in the Commonwealth.
MPHA is a statewide non-profit membership organization that promotes a healthy Massachusetts through advocacy, education, community organizing, and coalition building with a focus on eliminating health disparities and creating healthy communities for all. MPHA’s recent accomplishments include successfully leading the campaign for the Complete Streets Program, which provides grants to cities and towns for projects to make streets safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users. MPHA also led the campaign for the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund, a first-in-the-nation program investing in evidence-based interventions that keep residents healthy by linking clinical care and community-based services. Read More
Announcing an Exciting Leap Forward for the MA Food Trust!
We are excited to announce some great news at the start of National Public Health Week! This morning, April 2, 2018, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) began accepting applications for a MA Food Trust Program administrator to lead the program and raise private funds to invest in local communities. This is a significant first step in getting the MA Food Trust fully launched!
MPHA March 2018 Newsletter
Click here to read MPHA 2018 Newsletter
What’s inside:
- Intro by Maddie Ribble, Policy Director
- Main article: What is Transportation Justice and why is it Important for Advancing Health Equity?
MPHA January 2018 Newsletter
Click here for MPHA January 2018 Newsletter
What’s inside:
- Intro by Jodie Silverman, Interim Executive Director
- Main article: MPHA Launches New Campaign to Tackle Social Determinants of Health Through Health Care
- MPHA Member of Work Group to Advise MassHealth on Social Determinants
- Who’s your public health hero?
Message from MPHA President: Announcing Our New Executive Director
Dear Friend and Supporter,
We are excited to share with you that Carlene Pavlos will be joining us as the new Executive Director of the Massachusetts Public Health Association on April 1st.
Carlene has worked tirelessly for decades on improving the health of all residents of the Commonwealth. She is coming to us from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, where she has served as the Director of the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention. Carlene sees this opportunity with MPHA as a chance to continue the work she is passionate about, working with the big levers of policy and systems change and making an impact on the environment that people live in by addressing the root causes of injustice and health inequities. Read More