FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: State Rep. Natalie Higgins, Natalie.Higgins@mahouse.gov, 978-602-3772 Legislature Passes Civics Education Curriculum July 30, 2018 (BOSTON) – Representative Natalie Higgins (D-Leominster) joined her colleagues in the Legislature to enact S.2631, An Act to Promote and Enhance Civic Engagement. This legislation is the result of years of advocacy and collaboration between bipartisan House and Senate legislators, and it will implement a civics education curriculum in all Massachusetts public schools. The legislation promotes a hands-on and experiential approach to fostering civic engagement. It incorporates project-based learning components, encourages the instruction of civic competencies – including news and media literacy – and provides extracurricular civic-participation opportunities. “I am incredibly proud that we have passed this legislation because it is so important that young men and women are given the opportunity to learn how to affect change in their community,” said Senate President Emerita Harriette L. Chandler (D-Worcester). “This civics curriculum is a long-term investment in the future of our Commonwealth. When we begin to educate our children about civic responsibility at a young age, we foster the growth and development of our nation’s future leaders.” “Civic engagement is at the heart of our democracy and this legislation will empower young people with the information and tools to get involved in their government from their hometowns to Washington, DC,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “Thank you to Senate President Chandler and my colleagues in the House and Senate who worked diligently to put this in place for our students.” The bill is now before the Governor for his consideration. ###
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: State Rep. Natalie Higgins, Natalie.Higgins@mahouse.gov, 978-602-3772 Legislature Passes New Data Breach Protections for Consumers Provisions increase transparency, improve credit monitoring and provide better consumer notifications July 27, 2018 (BOSTON) – Representative Natalie Higgins (D-Leominster) joined her colleagues in the House and Senate to announce legislation enhancing protections for consumers against data breaches. The bill includes provisions that make it easier for consumers to monitor their credit, request security freezes on data, limit fees associated with data breach protections as well as requires transparency from breached companies and their affiliates. The bill requires breached entities to provide more detailed consumer notifications about data breaches and options to help consumers better protect themselves. “This bill ensures that Massachusetts residents will have the right to more control over their personal data, and will provide essential protections for consumers,” said Senate President Emerita Harriette L. Chandler (D-Worcester). “I believe that with this bill, Massachusetts establishes itself as a model for the rest of the country, and I thank our partners in the House for their work on this vital legislation.” “This bill empowers consumers to take charge of monitoring their credit and to protect their personal data against harmful data breaches,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, (D-Winthrop). “We have taken important steps to protect privacy and increase the requirements for transparency by those entities that are breached. Thank you to Representatives Chan and Benson and our colleagues in the House and Senate for their work on these important issues.” “We are proud to have Massachusetts continue to lead in providing comprehensive consumer protections in cases of security breaches,” said Representative Tackey Chan (D-Quincy), Chair of the Committee on Consumer Protection. “Each of us entrust our information to others to protect and this legislation gives consumers new resources and greater awareness of the tools they can take advantage of to protect their credit. Through the dedicated efforts of the entire committee and conference members, we were able to work through a very comprehensive bill involving federal and state regulations and are extremely proud of the legislation passed today.” “As an advocate for consumer protection, I filed legislation last year to make it easier for victims of identity theft to freeze their credit reports,” said Representative Jennifer Benson (D-Lunenburg). “In the wake of the Equifax breach, I worked with the Attorney General and advocates to strengthen the bill with further protections. Consumers in Massachusetts will now be empowered to take control of their credit data, and they’ll have more tools at their disposal to help them recover more quickly from data breaches.” Highlights of the legislation include:
The bill now moves to the Governor for his consideration. ### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contact: State Rep. Natalie Higgins, July 23, 2018 Massachusetts Legislature Passes Bill to Protect Women’s Reproductive Rights (BOSTON) – Representative Natalie Higgins (D-Leominster) joined her colleagues in the Legislature to pass legislation repealing unconstitutional laws that impose criminal penalties for abortion and contraception in Massachusetts. With an uncertain future for federal action on landmark reproductive rights, Massachusetts took decisive action to protect the rights for women across the Commonwealth. “It’s critical that we protect the rights of Massachusetts women so they may continue to make their own choices regarding their health,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D – Winthrop). “This action takes outdated and misguided laws off the books and makes clear where the Commonwealth stands on reproductive and women’s rights.” “With all of the uncertainty at the federal level, I am proud to join my colleagues in removing these archaic laws off the books in Massachusetts to ensure Massachusetts residents are protected,” said Rep. Natalie Higgins. “I’ve been concerned about the impact of archaic laws remaining on the books since the fight for marriage equality,” said Majority Whip Byron Rushing (D – South End). “During the fight for marriage, Governor Romney demanded city and town clerks enforce the ‘1913 law’ that prevent marriages in Massachusetts if they were not legal in the couple’s home state. This law was originally used to prevent interracial couples from coming to Massachusetts to be legally married here. After decades in obscurity, and not being enforced – but still ‘on the books’ – it was then used to prohibit marriage for same sex couples. It is critical that we take all archaic laws off of our books, because we never know how an old, hateful law will be used in new, hateful ways in the future.” “There have been repeated attempts to limit a woman’s right to make decisions about her healthcare choices, contraception and access to care,” said Representative Claire D. Cronin (D-Easton), Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. “We must ensure that if this occurs, in Massachusetts we have taken the necessary steps to protect the right to choice, and access to healthcare and information necessary to make private medical decisions, “said Representative Claire Cronin, House Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. Five of the Massachusetts laws the bill repealed were previously deemed unconstitutional under several U.S. Supreme Court rulings including Eisenstadt v. Baird (1972), Roe v. Wade (1973), and Akron v. Akron Center for Reproductive Health (1983). The legislation also repeals the requirement that a person be married in order to receive contraceptives. The bill now goes to the Governor for his consideration. ### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rep. Natalie Higgins, Natalie.Higgins@mahouse.gov, 978-602-3772 July 20, 2018 Legislature Passes Balanced Budget; Targets Local Aid, Education and Opioid Epidemic Support Communities, Strengthens Workforce, and Protects Most Vulnerable Residents (BOSTON) – Representative Natalie Higgins (D-Leominster) joined their colleagues in the Legislature to enact a $41.88 billion Massachusetts state budget for FY19. The budget features no new taxes or fees and directs a $367 million deposit into the Stabilization Fund to ensure our state’s fiscal health and protect Massachusetts’ future. It also prioritizes our cities and towns, education and those most in need of help. “This budget demonstrates a commitment to our constituents and is a testament to the fiscal strength of our Commonwealth,” said Senate President Harriette L. Chandler (D-Worcester). “With this funding we are supporting our children’s education, the transit systems in our cities and towns, and underserved youth and families across Massachusetts.” “This is a fiscally-sound budget that addresses our key priorities,” said Speaker DeLeo, (D – Winthrop). “I am particularly proud of our investments in early education and care, the stabilization fund, criminal justice bill and our decision to lift the cap on benefits for children. I congratulate Chairman Sanchez and my colleagues in the Legislature for working together on this important legislation.” “This budget reflects our ongoing commitment to the people of the Commonwealth, including our children, working families and the most vulnerable, while also maintaining fiscal responsibility,” stated Senator Karen E. Spilka, Chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee (D-Ashland). “We take important steps towards supporting families through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), expanding access to the economy through the creation of a pilot program to promote employment in state contracts with persons with disabilities, and protecting unaccompanied immigrant youth. We also honor our responsibility to be diligent fiscal stewards through substantial deposits to the Stabilization Fund and the creation of a tax expenditure review commission to ensure our tax payers are receiving worthwhile returns on their investments. I am most proud, however, of our record investment in K-12 education, which is the foundation of our shared success.” “Together, the House and Senate have passed a budget that invests in programs that make a difference in people’s lives on a daily basis,” said Representative Jeffrey Sánchez, Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means (D-Jamaica Plain). “From healthcare and housing to re-entry programs and education, this is a budget that moves Massachusetts forward. It builds on our strengths so the economy grows for the benefit of all our residents, no matter where they are in their lives. I’m grateful to Speaker DeLeo, my Senate counterpart Chair Karen Spilka, and to all House members for the opportunity to work with them in crafting this conference committee budget.” “This budget makes impressive yet prudent investments in education, health care, housing, local aid, mental health, and seniors,” said Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “These investments reflect the priorities of the conferees as well as all the Senators who shared their insights with the Conference Committee. I want to thank Chairwoman Spilka and the conferees for their hard work throughout this process and their dedication to the people of the Commonwealth.” “It was an honor to serve on the FY19 budget conference committee with Chairman Sanchez, Representative Smola, and the Senate conferees,” said Representative Stephen Kulik (D-Worthington). “I am proud that the final conference committee budget allocates record levels of funding for addressing the opioid crisis, improving education and local aid, and ensuring that environmental agencies have adequate resources to do the important work of protecting our environment. The Department of Environmental Protection is funded at over $29 million. Additionally, there were strong investments made in some of our most important agricultural programs, including an increase in the Dairy Farm Tax Credit from $4 million to $6 million annually, $4 million in funding for the Healthy Incentives Program, and an initial capitalization of $100,000 for the Massachusetts Food Trust. This conference committee budget is balanced, fiscally responsible, and reflects the priorities of the citizens of the Commonwealth.” “I am happy to have been able to work with my fellow members of the conference committee to ensure that the Legislature produced a fiscally responsible budget that lives within our means,” said Senator Vinny deMacedo (R-Plymouth). “I am especially proud that we will be adding $271 million to the rainy day fund, by the end of 2019 we should have close to $2 billion in the rainy day fund, the highest it has been since the crash of 2008. We were able to accomplish this without increasing any taxes or fees.” "This budget includes significant investments in our communities and in education," said Representative Todd Smola (R-Springfield). "We have also committed to building up our reserves by putting additional money into our stabilization fund, which will help improve our financial position going forward. This is a solid budget that is the result of a careful negotiation with a focus on our cities and towns and the people of the Commonwealth." “I am proud of the investments in our communities we have made in this budget,” said Representative Higgins. “Through this budget, I was able to secure additional funding for two important programs in Leominster -- the Leominster Substance Abuse Task Force & Outreach Program and the Domestic Violence Liaison in the Leominster Police Department.” In recognition of the state’s strong support for education, the Legislature approved an unprecedented $4.9 billion in Chapter 70 education funding, which represents an increase of 3.4 percent over the previous fiscal year and increases funding for teacher health care costs by $39 million. Education funding also features $319.4 million to fund the Special Education Circuit Breaker, $90 million for Charter School Reimbursement, $68.9 million for Regional School Transportation and $5 million to fund the Preschool Partnership Initiative. The budget reflects the Legislature’s commitment to ensuring the wellbeing of children and families by lifting the cap on benefits for children of low income families. This change takes effect in January 2019. The budget also provides $2.5 million for continued support for early childhood mental health consultation services and $20 million to support high-quality Early Education and Care (EEC) programs. The budget also provides $10 million to create an EEC workforce development initiative to tie professional development and higher education opportunities more closely to our community colleges. As part of an ongoing effort to ensure access to safe and affordable housing for the most vulnerable Massachusetts residents, the budget provides $100 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), $32 million for the HomeBASE program, $20 million for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) Program and establishes a $5 million rapid homeless rehousing program. To address the ongoing opioid epidemic, the budget includes $142 million for the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services to create five recovery centers in Massachusetts. The budget features $5 million to support community-based treatment program, $4.9 million for step-down recovery services and $1 million to provide increased access to Narcan to first responders. The budget ensures that cities and towns, large and small, are empowered to effectively manage their regional transit systems to ensure reliable service and fiscal responsibility. Regional Transit Authorities across Massachusetts are allocated $88 million to assure that our residents have access to reliable and affordable transportation. The budget sets aside funds to establish monitoring for hiring, promotion and preferential treatment occurring within the State Police. In addition the budget includes the following provisions highlighted below.
The budget now moves to the Governor for consideration. ### For Immediate Release
Contact: Rep. Natalie Higgins, 978-602-3772, Natalie.Higgins@mahouse.gov July 6, 2018 House Passes Legislation to Ban Conversion Therapy (BOSTON) – Representative Natalie Higgins (D-Leominster) joined her colleagues in the House to pass legislation that will prevent healthcare professionals from engaging in “conversion therapy” including practices that attempt to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. This bill outlines and excludes counseling and healthcare practices that are designed to support an individual and facilitate coping. "I am proud to stand with my House colleagues today and vote to ban the use of conversion therapy amongst our young and vulnerable residents," said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). "This practice has no scientific basis, is rooted in bigotry and can have lasting, detrimental health effects. In short, there is no place for this cruel activity in Massachusetts. I would like to thank Chairwoman Khan for her tireless advocacy, as well as Leader Peake and Chairman Sánchez." “A big thank you to Speaker DeLeo who has once again brought forward legislation that will protect our youth from harm,” said Representative Sarah Peake (D-Provincetown). “This bill is all about protecting our kids. Finally, this discredited practice will be relegated to the trash bin where it belongs!” “I am thankful for Chairwoman Khan’s leadership on this legislation to protect the children of the Commonwealth,” said Rep. Natalie Higgins. “I am proud to continue to stand with my colleagues to say hate has no place in Massachusetts.” “As a psychiatric nurse, the House Chair of Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, and a longtime advocate for LGBTQ rights, I was honored to sponsor this critical piece of legislation,” said Representative Khan (D-Newton). "I want to express my thanks to the Speaker and my colleagues for their passionate support of the bill. The bill is a commonsense measure to ensure medically sound, professional conduct by state-licensed health providers and to protect LGBTQ youth from being exposed to fraudulent, ineffective and very harmful practices. I am proud to have filed this legislation and to be working with a broad coalition of over twenty statewide legal, mental health, child welfare, and LGBTQ organizations, as well as parents dedicated to promoting the well-being and safety of our children in Massachusetts.” According to the American Psychological Association, conversion therapy “may pose serious risk of harm,” such as “confusion, depression, guilt, helplessness, hopelessness, shame, social withdrawal, and suicidality”. Violation of this law would result in a healthcare provider being subject to discipline from their appropriate licensing board, including suspension or revocation of their license. ### For Immediate Release
July 5, 2018 Contact: Natalie Higgins, Natalie.Higgins@mahouse.gov, 978-602-3772 Leominster State Representative Natalie Higgins named a 2018 Emerging Leader BOSTON -- The State Legislative Leaders Foundation named Representative Natalie Higgins (D-Leominster) to its 2018 Emerging Leaders Class. The State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to professional development for our nation’s current and future state legislative leaders. The Emerging Leaders Program is designed specifically for the next generation of leaders in our state legislatures and offers mentoring to first- and second-term legislators who have been identified by their peers as future leaders. The program is held every July on the campus of the University of Virginia, in partnership with the distinguished Darden School of Business. Next week, 42 of the best and brightest state legislators from across the nation take part in four days of challenging classroom discussions, led by a team of professors at the Darden School. Since 2005, over 600 legislators have benefitted from their experience at this program, and a significant number have continued their careers in public service. Many have achieved positions of leadership in their states. “I am honored to have been chosen as an Emerging Leader in my first term in office,” said Rep. Natalie Higgins. “It’s been awhile since I’ve had this much homework and I am excited to learn as much as I can in these four days to become a stronger representative of Leominster and a better advocate for our priorities in the Massachusetts State House.” ### For Immediate Release
Contact: Rep. Natalie Higgins, 978-602-3772, Natalie.Higgins@mahouse.gov July 5, 2018 House Passes Legislation to Create Automatic Voter Registration in Massachusetts Bill seeks to remove barriers to voter registration and increase voter turnout (BOSTON) – Representative Natalie Higgins (D-Leominster) joined her colleagues in the House to pass legislation creating an efficient and streamlined automatic voter registration (AVR) system, while also protecting the privacy of individuals. This legislation directs the Secretary of State to work with the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) and MassHealth to automatically enroll eligible individuals to the Commonwealth’s voter rolls. The Secretary of State will adopt regulations governing the AVR system, including provisions requiring electronic transmission, data security protocols, and integration with online portals. “Increasing the number of people who are registered to vote will enhance our democracy and make our government more reflective of the people we represent,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo. “I thank Chairman Mahoney for his leadership and the advocates who raised their voices.” “I am proud to see Massachusetts continue to lead the way in voting rights to ensure that everyone who is a resident has the ability to participate in our democracy,” said Representative John J. Mahoney, Chair of the Joint Committee on Election Laws (D-Worcester). “The House, under Speaker DeLeo’s leadership, has taken decisive action to reform and improve our elections systems, and this legislation demonstrates our commitment to further progress.” “Automatic Voter Registration is one important step Massachusetts can take to increase voter registrations and participation and I am proud to stand with my colleagues today,” said Rep. Natalie Higgins. Under this legislation, registration agencies will transmit electronic records of the legal name, age, residence, citizenship information, and electronic signature of each qualified person to the board of registrars of the municipality where the person lives. The board of registrars will then send a notice to the individual informing them that they have been registered to vote and offer the opportunity to choose a party affiliation or decline to be registered. If the individual does not decline within 21 days, their name will automatically be added to the voter lists. The name and address of program participants will remain confidential and the Secretary of State will establish security measures to protect voter information. The bill also requires Massachusetts to join the Electronic Registration Information Center, a non-profit that assists member states with improving voter roll accuracy and increasing access to voter registration. Under this legislation, automatic voter registration would begin on January 1, 2020. The bill now moves to the Senate for its consideration. ### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2018 Contact: Rep. Natalie Higgins, 978-602-3772, Natalie.Higgins@mahouse.gov Massachusetts Legislature Announces Comprehensive Proposal on Sales Tax Holiday, Minimum Wage, and Family and Medical Leave BOSTON - The Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts State Senate announced today a legislative proposal to raise the minimum wage; create a framework for paid family and medical leave for most workers; phase out time-and-a-half pay on Sundays; and establish a permanent sales tax holiday. “Too many working families in Leominster and across the state are struggling to make ends meet,” said Representative Natalie Higgins (D-Leominster). “This legislation is an important first step in making sure our communities thrive, with a $15 minimum wage, paid family medical leave, and preventing the cuts of $1.25B to the state budget.” The legislation is based on months of negotiations with stakeholders sponsoring proposed ballot questions for the November 2018 election. It is scheduled to come to the House and Senate floors on Wednesday. “This compromise strikes the right balance of empowering employees, supporting our hardworking residents and ensuring that businesses can continue to provide good, steady jobs,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “I sincerely thank the stakeholders who came to the table and the legislators who brokered this compromise.” Among other initiatives, this legislative proposal does the following: · Creates a permanent sales tax holiday, beginning in 2019; · Increases the minimum wage to $15.00 over the next five years; · Increases the tip wage to $6.75 over the next five years; · Phases out premium pay on Sundays and holidays over the next five years; · Establishes a Department of Family and Medical Leave within the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development; · Creates a framework for family leave of 12 weeks; family leave for the care of a service member of 26 weeks; and medical leave for up to 20 weeks; and · Exempts small businesses from financial contribution to the paid family and medical leave fund. The proposal leaves the sales tax unchanged, and does not impose a teen sub-minimum wage. “I am pleased to put forward this bill which empowers workers, recognizes the needs of business owners, and ensures that Massachusetts residents will no longer have to choose between caring for a sick relative or losing their job,” said Representative Paul Brodeur (D-Melrose). “This bill is the result of months of negotiations and demonstrates that regardless of what happens in Washington, here in Massachusetts we focus on cooperation and compromise.” “This deal represents a series of compromises made in the best interest of the Commonwealth. By reaching a thoughtful balance, this package will protect Massachusetts workers while promoting a competitive environment for our local businesses,” said Representative Joseph F. Wagner (D-Chicopee), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. ### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2018 Contact: Rep. Natalie Higgins, 978-602-3772, Natalie.Higgins@mahouse.gov House Passes Landmark Peter V. Kocot Health Care Legislation Seeks to stabilize the marketplace and increase transparency (BOSTON) – Representative Natalie Higgins (D-Leominster) joined her colleagues in the House to pass legislation that seeks to ensure residents across the Commonwealth have access to high-quality health care as the marketplace continues to experience volatility while, at the same time, laying the groundwork for continuous improvement to the Commonwealth’s nationally-leading health care infrastructure. The Peter V. Kocot Act (PVK Act) builds off the cost containment goals of Chapter 224, Chapter 58, and the Special Commission on Provider Price Variation (PPV Commission) by appropriately recognizing the vital role that community hospitals and community health centers play, both as health care providers and economic drivers. These entities, which traditionally care for underserved populations and those in Gateway Cities and rural areas, will receive both long-term support and a one-time, three-year investment through the Community Hospital Reinvestment Trust Fund (CHRTF). Details of the assessment include: • $90 million contribution from hospitals which have less than 60 percent Medicaid patients and more than $750 million in net assets. • Up to $247.5 million from health insurers. In addition to the assessment, the PVK Act raises professional license fees for various medical providers (these fees have not been raised since 2013) and assesses Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC) and Urgent Care Centers (UCC) for the first time. This ongoing revenue source will continue to fund CHRTF in perpetuity. “The Peter V. Kocot Act will bolster our community hospitals and community health centers during a unique time of change in the healthcare marketplace while maintaining our world renowned medical facilities,”said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “This carefully balanced plan seeks to preserve and enhance our healthcare environment in a way that reflects the work and legacy of its namesake, Chairman Peter V. Kocot. I thank Leader Mariano, Chair Sanchez, Vice Chair Roy for their tireless work on this legislation.” “This bill is aimed at ensuring stability to low-cost alternatives for high-quality healthcare options, particularly in our Gateway Cities,” said Majority Leader Ronald Mariano (D-Quincy). “My hope is this legislation will set the foundations of healthcare systems as they face the challenges of converting from fee-for-service care to a global payment system. The three years of this bill will help transition our healthcare system as it continues to develop.” “This legislation represents a significant amount of work by the members of the House,” said Representative Jeffrey Sánchez, Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means (D-Jamaica Plain). “It exemplifies the work of the Speaker’s MCO Working Group in 2015 and the Special Commission on Provider Price Variation in 2017. It’s a thoughtful, responsible approach to helping stabilize community hospitals and community health centers. We focus on improving transparency and care for the benefit of all residents of the Commonwealth, particularly the underserved.” “Massachusetts continues to lead the way in healthcare and this bill takes significant steps at addressing some of the most pressing concerns in our healthcare system today – price variation, unnecessary cost growth, consumer engagement, and greater transparency," said Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin), House Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. "It also harnesses technology and innovation to improve the delivery of care and is ultimately shaped around enhancing the experience for patients. At its heart, this bill, in conjunction with our prior legislative efforts, is transforming how we seek to pay for care to promote cost-effective, value driven services in a way that makes the healthcare system more accessible and effective for all of us.” Over the past decade, Massachusetts has experienced a rapid rise in the number of ASCs and UCCs. To increase oversight and gather additional data on this growing sub-sector, the PVK Act requires licensing through the Department of Public Health (DPH) for both types of entities. The PVK Act empowers consumers by increasing transparency and patient protections at every stage of the healthcare system. To gain clarity on drug pricing and the role the pharmaceutical industry plays in health care cost-containment, the bill will direct pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to participate in the Health Policy Commission (HPC)'s annual Cost Trends Hearing. It also requires the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) to consider pharmaceutical data as part of its cost analysis. Additionally, this legislation prohibits “gag clauses” which are currently included in contracts between PBMs and pharmacists, and prevent a pharmacist from informing a consumer that they are able to purchase a drug at a lower price out of pocket. The PVK Act addresses surprise and out-of-network billing by removing the patient from the middle and, instead, requiring insurance carriers and doctors to come to a resolution on the appropriate rate of payment. Under this legislation, the consumer is no longer responsible for any services provided by an out-of-network doctor in an emergency situation or one where they unknowingly receive care from an out-of-network provider. The doctor will be paid the higher of two amounts: 115 percent of the carrier’s average rate for services rendered, or 125 percent of the Medicare rate. Any dispute would go before an independent board created by the Division of Insurance (DOI) for resolution. In a non-emergency situation where a patient chooses to have an out-of-network doctor, the doctor must disclose to the patient estimated costs before performing the services. This legislation also supports small business by providing more options for low-cost, high value health plans and creating a study to improve the merged market. Small business owners and their employees will now have more choices when selecting health insurance plans and will have more information, presented in a clear and uniform manner, on which providers and services are available to them. The bill also promotes the use of telemedicine, which expands access to care and provides consumers with new choices on how they receive care. A study that will look at the current dynamic of the merged market will yield recommendations to reduce barriers and improve the shopping experience for both small businesses and individuals. Understanding the complexities of scope of practice proposals, the PVK Act creates an objective, data-driven process to determine when an expansion of scope is advisable. Under this legislation: • A joint committee of the Legislature will be able to request an objective review of any scope proposal by CHIA. • CHIA would have 180 days to examine the current scope of a licensed profession and, with input from the Betsy Lehman Center, gather data and analyze information on safety and cost regarding a proposed expansion. • Once the objective analysis is completed, the report is sent to the HPC for its review. The HPC then makes a recommendation to the Legislature within 90 days. The PVK Act also reauthorizes the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund (PWTF), created in Chapter 224, under the HPC with new reporting requirements. Funded through a transfer of funds from CHIA and new recreational marijuana revenue, the PWTF will focus its efforts on increasing access to community-based prevention services, reducing the impact of health condition drivers, and developing a stronger evidence base for effective prevention programming. A portion of the PWTF grants will go to regional grants to ensure that prevention dollars are dispersed throughout the Commonwealth. Provider directories, which patients use to select providers that accept their health insurance, will now be subject to more rigorous standards to ensure the accuracy of the information and that changes are made in a timely fashion. A new task force will provide recommendations on how to make provider directories more consumer friendly and easily searchable. Several other new commissions will examine administrative costs in health care, availability and quality of nursing homes, and barriers to foreign medical professionals practicing in Massachusetts The Peter V. Kocot Act now goes to the Senate for consideration. ### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 22, 2018 Contact: Isabelle Greene, Program Director, Isabelle.greene@mass.gov, 617.626.6522 Francine Meigs of Leominster named as an Unsung Heroine MASSACHUSETTS COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN ANNOUNCED UNSUNG HEROINES OF 2018 Francine Meigs of Leominster was honored as a member of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s 2018 class of Unsung Heroines. State Representative Natalie Higgins recommended Ms. Meigs or this recognition because of her commitment to her students, empowering them to positively impact their community. Ms. Meigs was honored with 130 other Unsung Heroines for her outstanding contributions to her Leominster in a ceremony on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 from 1-4 p.m., in the Great Hall at the State House in Boston. Francine Meigs is an 8th Grade Special Education teacher at Samoset Middle School in Leominster. Ms. Meigs is an exceptional education and doesn’t stop at the end of the school day. She also supports after school programming with Academic Support and Math Cafe. Ms. Meigs is always looking for opportunities for her students to give back to the community. She has worked with the United Way Youth Venture to support student community service including book drives, support for veterans, and autism awareness. “Francine believes her middle school students are change-makers and she goes above and beyond to empower her students to build a better community,” said Rep. Higgins. The Unsung Heroines are women who don’t make the news, but make the difference. They are the women who use their time, talent and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others and make a difference in their neighborhoods, cities and towns. They are mentors, volunteers and innovators who do what needs to be done without expectations of recognition or gratitude. These women are the glue that keeps a community together and every community is better because of their contribution. The ceremony included a program emceed by MCSW Chair Margot Parrot, acknowledging each of the 2018 Unsung Heroines, along with remarks from Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo, Senate President Harriette L. Chandler and Representative Colleen M. Garry, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators. The ceremony was followed by a group photograph and a “Just Desserts” reception. A complete list of this year’s honorees is available by contacting the Commission; to request this list or for additional information please contact the MCSW at 617-626-6520 or mcsw@state.ma.us. This event was made possible with the generous support of the following sponsors: Baystate Health, Eastern Bank, Girls Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, Jacqueline’s Gourmet Cookies, Kerry Goodwin Photography, Polar Beverages, and SM Lorusso and Sons, Inc. The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women is an independent state agency that was legislatively created in 1998 to advance women of the Commonwealth to full equality in all areas of life and to promote their rights and opportunities. The MCSW provides a permanent, effective voice for the women of Massachusetts. ### |
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