MPHA Annual Report is Live!

As you scroll through our “MPHA At A Glance: 2024 Report,” we hope one message is clear: we could not have done any of this without YOU. Together we made strides in shoring up the local public health infrastructure in Massachusetts, expanding access to reliable and affordable public transportation, and more. You can view the report here.

We're Hiring!

After nearly seven years in her role at MPHA, we bid adieu to Veronica Cañas and wish her well as she heads off to graduate school.  

You can help us find great candidates to become the next MPHA Operations Manager! If you know someone committed to racial justice and health equity and who has 1 to 3 years of experience in nonprofit finance or operations, please let them know about this exciting opportunity. And please share the job posting with your networks! 

Spring Awards Breakfast Breaks Record

As announced last week, the Spring Awards Breakfast has sold out! A huge shout out to this year's Platinum Plus sponsor, Boston Children's Hospital, 27 additional sponsors, host committee members, and everyone who bought a ticket. You can still be part of this powerful celebration. Help us honor our outstanding awardees and support MPHA's mission by placing an ad in our digital program book. It's a meaningful way to show your support and reach an engaged audience passionate about public health.

To add your name to the Spring Awards Breakfast Waitlist, please email Ana Hidalgo, MPHA Development Manager, at ahidalgo@mapublichealth.org. 

FY26 State Budget Moves to the Senate

Next week the Massachusetts Senate will begin debate on the FY26 State Budget. We applaud the Governor, House, and Senate for sustaining dedicated state funding for local public health services here in Massachusetts. But there’s still work to do! 

We urge you to make a phone call or send an email to your state senator and urge them to co-sponsor and support these amendments: 

• Amendment #599 – Universal Adult Vaccine Program (Sen. Driscoll)
• Amendment #430 – Low Threshold Housing (Sen. Keenan)
• Amendment #829 – Regional Transit Authorities (Sen. Kennedy)

You will find MPHA’s full list of budget amendment priorities, as well as call and email scripts here. 

Calling Out 100 Days of Harm 

MPHA proudly joined our partners from Health Care for All, the MIRA Coalition, Reproductive Equity Now, MA Senior Action Council, and Disability Policy Consortium for the “100 Days of Harm” event April 29th. Maroni Minter, Political Director at MIRA kicked off the event and highlighted "the significant and damaging effects the federal administration’s policies are already having on our communities. In just 100 days the well-being, dignity, and rights of so many of our neighbors are at stake.” We invite you to watch and share the recording to educate and mobilize resistance to these hateful, and in many cases illegal, policies.  

Harnessing Collective Power for Health Equity

Twelve members of the Massachusetts Large Cities Health Coalition (MLCHC) participated in an intensive and engaging Advocacy 101 Training run by MPHA staff on the legislative process and tools for effective advocacy. Kate Forrest, who serves as the Coalition Coordinator for MLCHC, shared, "The passion and expertise of these community leaders was on full display as MLCHC members gathered to freshen up their skills and explore strategies to advance their shared vision for sustainable public health solutions that advance health equity across the 14 largest cities in the state." 

Rallying for Clean Air on World Asthma Day

The rain didn’t keep Alexis Walls, MPHA Campaign Director, and our allies from the Massachusetts Environmental Justice Table (MAEJ) and others from gathering on May 6 in honor of World Asthma Day. People living, working, and playing in too many zip codes in our state are breathing toxic levels of indoor and outdoor air pollution. Community advocates called for clean air for all and shared tools and information neighbors can use to protect their health from toxic air pollution, like DIY air filters, asthma healthcare providers, information sessions on how to use your inhaler, and holistic healing providers. To learn more: 

• Check out this CommonWealth Beacon article to learn more about a new project helping Chelsea residents better understand air quality.  
• Read about two bills endorsed by MPHA that address indoor and outdoor air quality.  

Medicaid Defender Phonebanks

It is “make or break” time in Congress to determine whether they will cut hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid, known as MassHealth in Massachusetts. The cuts they are proposing would rip away health care coverage from hundreds of thousands of people in Massachusetts who rely on it for life-saving treatment and medications.  

We have the chance to stop these cuts if we act now. Health Care For All is working with SEIU and other partners to hold multiple phone banks over the coming weeks to call constituents in key Congressional Districts and ask them to tell their members of Congress to oppose any cuts to Medicaid. Sign up to volunteer or join an upcoming phone bank here.