Governor Baker Signs Bill to Restore Funding for Title X Services

Governor Baker Signs Bill to Restore Funding for Title X Services

Joined by legislative leadership, bill is a swift response to protect critical family planning services

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BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, joined by Legislative Leadership and family planning providers, today participated in the ceremonial bill signing of H.3638, An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2019 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects (Title X). The legislation ensures local providers will continue to have access to family planning resources, previously provided by the federal government. This bill provides state funding for eligible entities so they can continue providing health care services, including physical exams, counseling and reproductive cancer screenings. Governor Baker was joined by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop), Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Framingham), Dr. Jennifer Childs-Roshak, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, Julia E. Kehoe, President and CEO of Health Imperatives, Gabrielle Ross, Executive Director of Health Quarters, John J. Drew, President and CEO of Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) and several other members of the Legislature.

“Signing this bill into law ensures women’s health providers across Massachusetts will continue to have access to these critical funds,” said Governor Baker. “We are proud that Massachusetts remains a national leader in women’s health care, and we thank our colleagues in the Legislature for their swift response to changes in federal policy.”

“We are pleased to work with our legislative colleagues on this bill and send an unequivocal message to women in Massachusetts that these services are important and will remain protected,” said Lt. Governor Polito.

“The House of Representatives has never stopped working to keep in place protections for women’s health, and I’m proud the House moved swiftly on this issue,” said House Speaker Robert DeLeo. “Today more than 75,000 individuals can feel safer that now family planning services across the Commonwealth are protected. Thank you to my colleagues in the House, especially Chair Michlewitz and Vice Chair Garlick, and to Governor Baker and Senate President Spilka for their work on this issue.” 

“I applaud the Governor for acting swiftly on the Legislature’s actions to ensure resources are still available for Title X family planning and health services, despite new damaging rules out of Washington,”said Senate President Karen Spilka. “Together, we are sending the message that all women and men across the Commonwealth will continue to have access to vital health services, even if the federal government choses to leave them behind. Today we have shown the country what a proactive government, who puts its citizens first, looks like.”

“The Trump-Pence administration’s domestic gag rule will dismantle Title X, the nation’s program for affordable, preventive reproductive health care, threatening the health care of 4 million people across the country, and 75,000 people right here in Massachusetts,” said Dr. Jennifer Childs-Roshak, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. “I applaud the Baker Administration and the Massachusetts legislature for taking swift action to defend access to affordable, preventive services like birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing and treatment. We will continue to fight this dangerous, unethical rule through every possible avenue because all people – no matter what state they live in – deserve access to affordable reproductive health care.”

“Health Imperatives believes the Commonwealth’s commitment to providing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services for all residents, regardless of their ability to pay, will improve birth and health outcomes,” said Julia E. Kehoe, President and CEO of Health Imperatives. “Investing in effective family planning services also reduces the need for more costly government programs and improves family stability and economic security because young, low-income women will be better able to achieve their educational and career goals.”

“The bold and swift decision of Gov. Baker and the State Legislature to replace federal funds with state funds reflects the will of Massachusetts voters who overwhelmingly support unfettered access to the full range of reproductive healthcare services, including access to information about prenatal care, adoption and abortion,” said Gabrielle Ross, Executive Director of Health Quarters. “Health Quarters, the Title X subrecipient for the North Shore and Merrimack Valley wholeheartedly laud Governor Baker and the Legislature’s decision to stand up for women, especially at a time a time when so few appear willing to do so in Washington, DC.”

“ABCD deeply appreciates the extraordinary support for the Title X public health program shown by Governor Charlie Baker, Senate President Karen E. Spilka, House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, and our state legislators,” said  John J. Drew, President and CEO of ABCD. “Serving over 29,000 clients each year in partnership with 21 health care agencies in the Greater Boston area, we provide access to preventive reproductive health care that enables patients to make informed personal decisions. As a long-standing grantee for Title X, ABCD thanks these leaders for their unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable residents.” 

MAYOR WALSH AND COMMUNITY LEADERS VOW TO MAKE BOSTON COUNT IN THE 2020 CENSUS

MAYOR WALSH AND COMMUNITY LEADERS VOW TO MAKE BOSTON COUNT IN THE 2020 CENSUS

Full participation in the 2020 Census will rely on outreach in hard-to-count communities Mayor Walsh and supporters from CPA, etc. (photo from CPA) Mayor Walsh and supporters from CPA, etc. (photo from CPA) BOSTON - Monday, April 1, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh, nonprofit leaders and community members today launched a year-long outreach campaign to ensure a fair and complete count in the 2020 U.S. Census. At a kick-off event held today at the East Boston branch of the Boston Public Library, the Mayor announced the City will invest an additional $100,000 in his FY20 budget that will be released next week to support Boston's outreach efforts by providing grants to community-based organizations and more support to City departments. This is in addition to a FY19 investment of dedicated staffing resources to support the City's census efforts announced in the Mayor's 2019 State of the City address.   The census will be issued exactly one year from today, starting the decennial count that determines everything from representation in Congress, to federal funds for schools, affordable housing, infrastructure and health care programs. "We have been hearing threats from Washington to use the 2020 Census as another weapon to intimidate residents and weaken our democracy," said Mayor Walsh. "This is unacceptable at a time when our representation and federal funding are at stake. We recently appointed a census liaison within my administration and are kicking off this outreach campaign a year in advance to make sure every resident of Boston is counted, because every resident of Boston counts." The kickoff event highlighted a range of collaborations across the city focused on ensuring that all Boston residents are aware of the upcoming census, know why it's important, and are prepared to participate. Next year's Census faces unprecedented challenges, including significant underfunding of the U.S. Census Bureau, the nearly all-digital nature of the surveys, and the possible inclusion of a citizenship question. Data from the 2010 Census determine around $16 billion every year in federal spending for critical programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, affordable housing initiatives, Title I education funding, and infrastructure in Massachusetts. For every one person that's not counted on the Census, the state loses out on roughly $2,400 of federal funding. Despite the amount of federal resources at stake, there are multiple hard-to-count populations that reside in Massachusetts that historically have made a complete census count difficult. This is due in part to the state's population of recent immigrants, renters, college students, and other hard-to-count populations. Boston is the ninth hardest-to-count city among the largest 100 cities nationwide, according to a recent report  by Boston Indicators and the Boston Foundation. "The library's mission is to support this work of civic engagement," said David Leonard, president of the Boston Public Library, where today's kick-off event was hosted. "We will continue being a trusted information provider, a safe space, and help everyone be counted, whether you arrived yesterday, ten years ago, or have been here for many, many generations." Alexie Torres, chair of the Massachusetts Census Equity Fund, said trusted messengers will play a particularly important role in compelling individuals from hard-to-count communities to participate in the 2020 Census. "The Massachusetts Census Equity Fund just announced the first half a million dollars in grants to over 40 organizations across the state, all to ensure that fear doesn't drive us into darkness," said Alexie Torres. "Darkness can only be cast out when we stand in the light. We must come together and support trusted messengers to highlight what's at stake for the 2020 census." For more information on the City's outreach efforts to ensure a fair and complete count, please visit boston.gov/2020-census.

B.A.A. Announces Meb Keflezighi as 2019 Boston Marathon Grand Marshal

B.A.A. Announces Meb Keflezighi as 2019 Boston Marathon Grand Marshal

Boston Marathon Schedule of Events Released

BOSTON (1-April) – Today, the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) announced the Grand Marshal for the 123rd Boston Marathon, to be run on Monday, April 15, 2019. Meb Keflezighi, winner of the 2014 Boston Marathon, will serve as Grand Marshal on Patriots’ Day, leading the way for 30,000 participants on their journey from Hopkinton to Boston. 

The Boston Marathon is the oldest consecutively run marathon in the world and is annually held on Patriots’ Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For the 34th year, John Hancock is the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon.

Five years ago, Keflezighi broke the finish tape in memorable fashion with a time of 2:08:37, becoming the first American man since 1983 to win the open division of the Boston Marathon. His victory was especially significant considering it came one year after the tragic acts of April 15, 2013. Keflezighi sported the names of those lost on his bib number as he ran in front towards Boylston Street. 

A four-time Olympian, Keflezighi is the only athlete in history to have won both the Boston and New York City Marathons and an Olympic Marathon medal. As Grand Marshal, he will once again lead the field, this time riding in an INFINITI QX50, the official vehicle of the Boston Marathon, from Hopkinton to Boston.

Throughout race week, Keflezighi will also serve as a John Hancock Elite Athlete Ambassador, cheering on participants and making many appearances including at the Boston Marathon Expo, Runner Seminar Series, and at Boston Marathon Fan Fest on Copley Square Park. Keflezighi recently published a book titled 26 Marathons.

“We are proud to welcome back Meb on the five year anniversary of his triumphant victory,” said Tom Grilk, Chief Executive Officer of the B.A.A. “Running to the chants of ‘USA! USA!’, Meb’s victory five years ago was a symbolic moment that transcended sports. Meb helped our entire community celebrate the resilient and determined spirit of Boston, and we look forward to having him back in Boston as Grand Marshal of this year’s race.” 

The B.A.A. also today released a detailed schedule of events celebrating Boston Marathon week. Members of the media are encouraged to attend and cover all events.