Working in solidarity for liberation and justice is a core value at MPHA. MPHA follows the lead of trusted partners – especially those most directly impacted – to advance policies that promote community stability and health for all people, including people of color, immigrants, people who are poor, older adults, youth, LGBTQ+ people, women, people with disabilities, and others impacted by oppression. This plays out in three ways.

First, the MPHA Policy Council is comprised of local, regional, and statewide leaders, a majority of whom are people of color, from community-based organizations across Massachusetts. The Policy Council recommends the policy priorities and positions to the MPHA Board and serves as a forum to explore emerging policy issues that impact health equity.

Second, our priority legislative advocacy is all done in solidarity with those who are most directly impacted. These partnerships include Homes For All Massachusetts, Neighbor to Neighbor, Transportation for Massachusetts, Alternatives for Community and Environment, and others.

Third, MPHA provides support and mobilizes our resources where grassroots leadership exists on policy campaigns related to our priority issues. Current examples of our solidarity work includes support of the following legislative items:

• H.144/S.75, Rep. Decker, Sen. DiDomenico | Lift Kids Out of Deep Poverty 
• H.603/S.261, Rep. Vargas, Sen. DiDomenico | Universal School Meals 
• H.1981/S.1242, Reps. Fernandes & Decker, Sen. Cyr | Overdose Prevention Centers 
• H.1795/S.1979, Rep. Tyler, Sen. Comerford | Jail and Prison Construction Moratorium 
• H.1966/S.1247, Rep. Balser, Sen. Friedman | Ensuring Access to Addiction Services 
• H.2266/S.1400, Rep. Nguyen, Sen. Lewis | Prevention Wellness Trust Fund 
• H.2151/S.1458, Rep. Donato, Sen. Rausch | Community Immunity 
• H.2209/S.1457, Reps. Khan & Fluker Oakley, Sen. Rausch | Midwifery Care & Out-of-Hospital Births
• H.3003, Rep. Chan, Sen. Eldridge | Data Equity