波士頓體育協會今年邀Point32健康為醫療保險提供者

 Point32Health Named Presenting Sponsor of the B.A.A. 5K & Official Health Insurance Provider of the B.A.A. 

BOSTON – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) announced today that Point32Health has been named the official health insurance provider of the B.A.A., as well as Presenting Sponsor of the B.A.A. 5K. The Massachusetts-based health care organization will be an official sponsor of B.A.A. events throughout the year, including at the Boston Marathon, June’s B.A.A. 10K, and November’s B.A.A. Half Marathon.  

 “The B.A.A. and Point32Health share a common bond in prioritizing and focusing on the health and wellbeing of our community,” said Jack Fleming, President and Chief Executive Officer of the B.A.A. “As two organizations with deep local roots, we look forward to expanding the positive impact that wellness can have, no matter if you’re an experienced runner or new to the sport.” 

Point32Health is a leading, nonprofit health and wellbeing organization, delivering a better health care experience to its members and the communities they serve. One of the top twenty health plans in the United States, Point32Health builds on the quality of its founding organizations, Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. They offer a diverse range of health plans that help improve the health and wellness of the 2.2 million members they serve.  Every day, they work to deliver on their purpose of guiding and empowering healthier lives for everyone. 

“Point32Health is thrilled to support the B.A.A. and athletes from across the world in their quest for athletic achievement,” said Cain A. Hayes, president and CEO of Point32Health. “We look forward to playing an important role in these inspiring events and celebrating with the entire city of Boston, each runner’s unique journey from the start to the finish line.” 

As the first presenting sponsor of the B.A.A. 5K, Point32Health will field a team of 400 athletes for this year’s race on April 15. The B.A.A. 5K annually kicks off Boston Marathon weekend, with nearly 10,000 athletes running through Back Bay and across the Boston Marathon finish line before completing the 3.1-mile race at Boston Common. The B.A.A. 5K presented by Point32Health is recognized as one of the fastest and most competitive 5K races in the world. The Official Fundraising Partner of the B.A.A. 5K, Special Olympics Massachusetts, raised more than $75,000 through last year’s race and will welcome 100 athletes to Boston this April to support an inclusive environment for athletes with intellectual disabilities. 

“I am delighted that Point32Health is the official health insurance provider of the B.A.A. as well as the Presenting Sponsor of the B.A.A. 5K,” said Joan Benoit Samuelson, 1984 Olympic gold medalist, two-time Boston Marathon winner, and Beach2Beacon 10K founder. “Having worked with Point32Health, and as a long time Harvard Pilgrim member, I know first-hand their commitment to the health and wellbeing of their members and communities, and I am pleased to see them extend this commitment to the running community that comes from around the world to Boston to fulfill dreams.”   

Participants and spectators will also find Point32Health at the Boston Marathon Expo and Fan Fest on race weekend, and on Patriots’ Day leading a special cheer zone along the course. Year round, Point32Health and the B.A.A. will collaborate to promote a healthy lifestyle through digital campaigns and messaging. The new partnership will also support the B.A.A.’s ongoing community events and initiatives. 

波士頓指數新報告稱居家護理及托兒照顧員工存在系統性不公平

Care Work and the Racial Wealth Gap Care work has forever been critical to the health and basic functioning of our society. However, as we detailed in our September 2022 report, Care Work in Massachusetts: A Call for Racial and Economic Justice for a Neglected Sector, long histories of racial prejudice and gender discrimination have led to a systematic devaluation of these jobs. Poor working conditions and low wages for care workers have profound consequences not just on employee retention or the immediate economic security of care workers, but also the long-term wealth accumulation for care workers and their families. So, in partnership with SkillWorks, today we are releasing this new research brief, Care Work and the Racial Wealth Gap, to look more closely at how our undervaluation of care work makes it harder for these workers to accumulate assets over time and contributes to the racial wealth gap. On top of receiving low wages, for instance, care workers are also less likely to receive basic employment benefits like affordable health insurance or retirement plans. In Massachusetts, care workers are far less likely to receive employer-provided health insurance, leaving them more reliant on MassHealth (the state’s Medicaid program), as shown in the graph below.

Additionally, at the national level just 10.2 percent of child-care workers and 12.6 percent of home care workers have a pension or other retirement plan, compared to 35 percent of the total workforce. Having a strong retirement plan can serve both as a form of wealth itself—since retirement benefits have direct financial value—and as something that enables greater wealth accumulation during one’s working life—since retirement security frees people up to use income from work on other investments, including wealth-boosting ones like education or real estate. Read Care Work and the Racial Wealth Gap for more detail.

麻州州長要求增加7億3400萬元預算

 Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll File  

$734 Million Supplemental Budget  

Bill proposes funding for universal school meals, clean energy, MBTA hiring and other one-time priorities, as well as makes preparations for the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency  

BOSTON – Today, the Healey-Driscoll administration filed a $734 million supplemental budget to provide additional funding for core programs and services, such as COVID-era workforce and public health programs, and to make other one-time priority investments.   

The funding proposed in this bill builds on the investments made in Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll’s proposed budget recommendation for Fiscal Year 2024, with additional support for the state’s universal school meals pilot program, clean energy and technology, and additional resources for the MBTA to better recruit and retain employees.  

“In our Supplemental Budget, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and I are proposing additional investments that will move us forward on our goals of increasing affordability, competitiveness and equity in Massachusetts,” said Governor Healey. “The universal school meals program has proven to be a success in expanding access to nutritious meals for all students, and it’s essential that we keep it running and evaluate our options for the future. We also know that workforce shortages are fueling the serious service issues at the MBTA, which is why we are proposing dedicated funding for hiring and retention. And this funding will play a key role in supporting our efforts to tackle the climate crisis and make Massachusetts a global leader in the clean energy economy.”  

“This supplemental budget will provide the funding needed to make sure critical programs that Massachusetts residents rely on are continued and expanded,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “We look forward to working with our partners in the Legislature to advance universal school meals, clean energy and technology, and hiring at the MBTA, as well as ensure we are adequately supporting our health care workforce as the COVID-19 public health emergency comes to an end.”  

This bill fulfills Governor Healey’s commitment to triple the operating budget of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center with an additional $35 million for the agency to keep Massachusetts on the cutting edge of clean technology and decarbonization efforts and to forge new partnerships with public higher education institutions and trades to grow the clean energy industry. This funding would be in addition to the new money proposed for MassCEC in the administration’s House 1 budget recommendation, and MassCEC would be authorized by this bill to establish the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal to further the creation of new green jobs.  

This legislation requests an additional $171 million to extend state-funded universal free school meals through the 2023-2024 school year. It also directs the Executive Office of Education to report by early next year on options to reform, modify or extend this program in a way that promotes equity, maximizes federal revenue and improves predictability and sustainability of funding into the future. The Healey-Driscoll Administration previously requested additional funding to continue the program through the end of the 2022-2023 school year.  

The bill proposes $20 million to enable the MBTA to better recruit and retain employees to meet its needs and deliver safe, reliable service across the system. This includes money that would be used to increase and expand hiring and retention bonuses, boost entry-level pay for bus operators, and develop a robust marketing campaign to support hiring efforts.  

The bill also directs $200 million toward a Critical Health and Human Services and Workforce Reserve to cover projected deficiencies in Fiscal Year 2023 and expenses in early Fiscal Year 2024 for the continuation of COVID-19 response and mitigation efforts. This includes temporary staffing relied upon to respond to health crises in our nursing homes, group care settings, state hospitals, and Soldiers’ Homes.  

The bill’s workforce funding is necessary to ensure there are enough health professionals, including licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs), to meet the needs of vulnerable residents under state care while we transition beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency.   

The Healey-Driscoll administration is also proposing $10 million to create a new LPN career ladder program to support nursing facilities and home- and community-based services providers in their efforts to retain direct care staff and upskill them to LPNs. The program would fund no-interest loans and grants to support the cost of attending an LPN certification program, as well as living expenses while attending.  

“We are pleased to have the resources necessary to continue to support critical health services for our most vulnerable residents, to build new pipelines for residents to start and advance their careers, and to make record investments in areas like clean energy that will ensure the Massachusetts economy is well positioned to grow and thrive,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz  

Other key investments recommended in this bill include:   

• $75 million for Chapter 766 rate relief to assist school districts in managing extraordinary increases in tuition prices for approved special education placement programs 
• $60 million to support caseworkers and staff at the Department of Transitional Assistance 
• $20 million for a bridge to stabilize critical victim service programs throughout the Commonwealth and ensure continued access to trauma-informed services in light of decreased federal funding through the Victims of Crime Act 
• $10 million to double the Cultural Facilities Fund for the Massachusetts Cultural Council 

• $5 million for the Martin Richard Field House  
• $3.5 million to support the redetermination process at MassHealth 
• $2 million for the celebration of the 250^th Anniversary of the American Revolution 
• $100 million supplemental transfer to the pension fund, as agreed to with the House and Senate as part of the consensus revenue process to fully pay down pension liabilities attributable to the 2015 Early Retirement Incentive Program ahead of schedule.  

Additionally, several outside sections would make recommended adjustments to municipal finance laws and governance. One of these changes would give municipalities more flexibility in how they spend opioid settlement money – making it easier for cities and towns to quickly use these resources for treatment and recovery services. They will also simplify accounting and fiscal rules regarding revolving funds, insurance proceeds and mitigation agreements. A separate section would also provide raises for sheriffs.  

Finally, the administration is proposing to extend three Public Health Orders issued in connection with the COVID-19 public health emergency beyond the end of the emergency declaration on May 11. This legislation would permanently extend staffing flexibilities for advanced life support ambulances; temporarily extend staffing flexibilities for freestanding dialysis providers, and temporarily extend flexibilities for the administration of prescription medications to clients of state agencies who reside in community settings.  

The spending recommended in this bill would be covered by a mix of available General Fund revenue and one-time resources.   

Read the Governor’s supplemental budget filing letter here and the bill here.  

麻州各地商會合作成立政策團

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Announces the Massachusetts Chambers of Commerce Policy Network

Network Convenes to Strategize Necessary Policy Solutions for People & Businesses  

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce announces the launch of the statewide policy network, the Massachusetts Chambers of Commerce Policy Network (the “Chambers Policy Network”). The Chambers Policy Network, led by the Presidents and Chief Executive Officers of large regional chambers of commerce, plans to use its collective statewide voice to advocate for policy and business issues that will strengthen the quality of life and economy in the Commonwealth. The Chambers Policy Network is designed to leverage the existing impact and on-the-ground local knowledge of these local Chambers to provide solutions to policy challenges that hinder the success and legacy of residents, employees, and businesses.  Our goal is a growing statewide economy that works for all and strengthens our ability to retain talent and businesses in Massachusetts. 

The Chambers Policy Network will focus on the issues that directly tie to the region’s future: statewide competitiveness, taxes and revenue, transportation, broadband access, talent development and retention, housing, climate change, higher education, and the ease of doing business. Through this transformative and collaborative network, the immense value of businesses, their employees, and their Chambers are leveraged to advance statewide equity and economic opportunity. 

“The launch of the Chambers Policy Network is the region’s first formal policy advocacy network of Chambers dedicated to solving the complex issues that our cities and entire state face. By unlocking the unique strengths of Chambers, we will be able to strategize and advance solutions to policy challenges. From housing to transportation, taxes, and business climate and more – all of these are interconnected and statewide issues that can help make Massachusetts a place where workers and businesses can succeed,” said James E. Rooney, President & CEO, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. 

The Chamber Policy Network will initially consist of ten of the largest Chambers from across the entire state as founding members with plans to expand to include other Chambers in 2024. 

  MA Chambers Policy Network Founding Members 

James E. Rooney, President & CEO, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Tim Murray, President & CEO, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce

Diana Szynal, President, Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce

Rick Sullivan, President & CEO, Western MA Economic Development Council

Paul Niedzwiecki, CEO, Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce

Peter Forman, President & CEO, South Shore Chamber of Commerce

Karen Andreas, President & CEO, North Shore Chamber of Commerce

Greg Reibman, President Charles River Regional Chamber

Rick Kidder, Co-CEO, Michael O’Sullivan Co-CEO, One SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce

Jonathan Butler, President & CEO, 1Berkshire 

Included in its plans are annual sharing of regional chamber policy priorities and yearly Chamber Policy Network visits to Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill to promote its agenda. 

“Local chambers are the most effective tools to activate effective solutions to our most persistent challenges. The day to day, complex challenges are heard first by local Chambers – we’re the best resource to know and understand the people and businesses that build our economy,” said Tim Murray, President & CEO, of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

“Chambers are always champions for local businesses and the people that power those businesses. This Network will advance our collective efforts and allow us to reach across Massachusetts, which is important as we elevate the voices of business leaders and build the future of the Commonwealth,” said Diana Szynal, President, Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC to support Community-Based groups through $250,000 grant from Google.org

 Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC to support

Community-Based groups through $250,000 grant from Google.org

 

Washington, D.C. – March 15, 2023 — Today, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC) is excited to announce a grant from Google.org to distribute $50,000 each to five community-based organizations for the purpose of providing digital skills and job readiness training in their communities. The organizations selected represent communities across the United States ⁠from Seattle, Washington to New York City, New York, and they were chosen for their history of providing successful digital skills and workforce development programs in Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.

 

As internet access becomes even more essential for communities to thrive, Advancing Justice – AAJC, a national nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C., that advocates for the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and underserved allied communities, and Google.org know that digital skills and job readiness remain a challenge for many underserved AAPI communities.

 

“Advancing Justice – AAJC is proud to work with Google.org in support of local AAPI-serving organizations who are working to help bridge the gap in digital skills within their communities,” said John C. Yang, president and executive director at Advancing Justice – AAJC. “Local organizations with deep trust from their communities are most attuned to the needs on the ground, and with the right resources, can address current challenges with solutions that enable their communities to thrive. Digital skills are essential in today’s professional environment, and we will continue our work to address the digital divide and ensure that our communities are set up for success.”

 

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the critical importance of internet access and digital skills. It is clear that today’s jobs increasingly require digital skills training and that many opportunities will remain online. Several Asian American and Pacific Islander organizations have piloted and expanded their job training programs to include digital skills as a critical first step, but a lack of adequate resources, including funding, proper software/hardware, and limited staff time can hinder the growth of these programs.

 

The following are the beneficiary organizations serving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. 

 

Arab American Association of New York

 

Arab American Association of New York (AAANY), a nonprofit organization in Brooklyn, New York, supports and empowers the Arab American and Arab immigrant community by providing services to help them adjust to their new home and become active members of society. AAANY additionally offers a workforce development program that includes resume coaching, job interviewing workshops, career exploration, and digital skills training.

 

Asian Counseling and Referral Service

 

Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ARCS), a Seattle nonprofit organization grounded in social justice, provides services that advance the health, well-being, dignity and empowerment of Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and other communities experiencing disparities in health, human services and education. ACRS's digital skills classes provide participants with essential computer and internet skills, technical resources, and one-on-one coaching in a culturally appropriate and linguistically accessible environment.

 

Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote Michigan

 

Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote Michigan (APIA Vote MI), a nonprofit organization in Hamtramck, Michigan, is a pan-Asian American organization committed to justice and equity for the Asian American community through grassroots mobilization, civic engagement, leadership development, and coalition building. APIA Vote MI additionally offers a job placement program that includes in-language digital skills  classes covering basic computer skills, technical software training, and interviewing and workplace culture courses.

 

Boat People SOS – Houston  

 

Boat People SOS – Houston (BPSOS-Houston), a nonprofit organization in Houston, Texas, provides social and legal services to empower, organize, and equip immigrant communities in their pursuit of liberty and dignity. BPSOS-Houston additionally offers basic computer skills courses and job search workshops.

 

National Asian Pacific Center on Aging

 

National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA), a nonprofit organization in Seattle, Washington, preserves and promotes the dignity, well-being, and quality of life of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AAPNHPIs) as they age. NAPCA additionally offers courses in basic computer skills and professional development designed for the elderly community.

 

Together, these organizations offer services that focus on underserved and marginalized Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the United States, ensuring that these communities have equal opportunities to access professional opportunities online, improve their digital skills, and are able fully participate in today’s digital economy. 

紐英崙溯源公所迎兔年 八方宗親齊來賀

紐英崙遡源公所宗親與外埠到賀宗長在祭祖前合影。(周菊子攝)

紐英崙遡源公所本屆主席，左起雷展灝，鄺元傑，鄺炎彬
和上屆主席鄺國彬，聯袂招呼到賀的外部宗長。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 紐英崙遡源公所3月12

紐英崙遡源公所3名現任主席，右起雷展灝，鄺元傑，
鄺炎彬在大埠總堂主席方錫光(後)陪同中切金豬。
(周菊子攝)

日在帝苑大酒樓慶祝癸卯兔年新春，包括遡源總堂，大埠原宗公所，紐約遡源，舍路遡源堂等，到賀宗親之多，創歷年紀錄，加上與會嘉賓，席開40桌，盛況空前。

左起，雷國輝，總堂副主席雷振澤，鄺炎彬，鄺元傑，總堂
主席方錫光，雷展灝，總堂副主席鄺耀榮齊點金豬，
藉以表示齊向祖先獻祭。(周菊子攝)

                       當天晚宴在全美遡源堂永遠顧問雷華欽出資的贊助三頭醒獅舞動，採青，雷如鏡全場指揮，雷華欽、方錫光、雷振澤、方偉俠、雷權杜，雷超雄、鄺元傑點睛的開場後，由本屆主席鄺元傑代表鄺炎彬，雷展灝等共同主席致歡迎詞，感謝各埠宗親，以及波士頓市議會議長愛德華費連 (Ed Flynn) ，代表波士頓市長的亞裔聯絡員黃楚嵐，波士頓經文處處長孫儉元，僑教中心主任潘昭榮，以及30多個僑團主席、會長等嘉賓的到賀。

               12日中午，紐英崙遡源公所先在波士頓華埠哈佛街會址祭祖，請超武館舞獅，還上香，敬酒，獻金箔，切金豬，請宗長們致詞，並分享公所特色菜炒粉絲，禮數週全的沿襲傳統。

晚上的新春敬老聯歡宴，送敬老金給15位年逾80歲的宗親，發獎學金給15名學子之外，還有十分豐富的文娛表演節目，以及倡盛行東主阮偉昌送出的花旗蔘，宗親鄺國彬、雷洪活捐出的香港小食，温莎餅屋等禮券的抽獎環節。鄺元傑指出，今年的紐英崙遡源公所春宴真是冠蓋雲集，高朋滿座，宗親們濟濟一堂，場面之盛大，隆重，讓人衷心感謝。

到賀宗長們在遡源員工所會址內一一致詞。(周菊子攝)

               當天到賀的宗親及僑團首長有遡源總堂有主席方錫光，副主席鄺耀榮、雷振澤，全美遡源堂永遠顧問雷華欽、雷超雄，大埠原宗公所副主席雷超漢、鄺炳威，舍路遡源堂的主席雷權杜，全美遡源堂永遠顧問方偉俠，紐約遡源公所副主席雷錦權，紐約原宗別墅樹長雷瑞廉，以及美國洪門致公堂總理余麗媖，黃氏宗親會元老團主席黄國威，伍胥公所美東總長伍焕華，余風采堂美東總長余文博等人。

             創立於1970年代前後，一度中斷，1980年代中期，由雷權達、方創傑、方偉明、雷梓焜、鄺鐵夫、雷如鏡等6人復會的紐英崙遡源公所，會址門口掛著「遡初宗族開三姓，源衍子孫聚一堂」對聯。

遡源公所到賀宗長留影。 (周菊子攝)

                       已有7年沒到公所走動的雷如鏡，這天也在宗親力邀中再次回到公所。他感慨表示自己年紀已大，但是很高興看到公所年輕一輩，事業有成，仍熱心族務，尤其是甫卸任的上屆主席鄺國彬，不但經營有香港小食等餐廳，還將把天滿街上的卡拉OK店擴張成全麻州最大的一家。

紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝和紐英崙遡源公所共同
主席雷展灝是同在公所服務的父子檔。(周菊子攝)

                     紐英崙遡源公所復會創辦人之一鄺鐵夫的兒子鄺劍鋒，這天也和他的另一半，紐英崙至孝篤親公所主席陳文珊聯袂出席。他透露，第一個在紐英崙開辦武館的人就是他父親鄺鐵夫。曾任香港財政司司長，競選過香港特首的曾俊華，當年經常和他父親，以及他一起出外表演功夫。

紐英崙遡源公所今年祭祖時，還多了一名新宗親，紐英崙至德三德公所5名主席之一吳皓的夫人方柳君。她表示以前從沒想過，但年紀漸長後，覺得應該和宗親來往走動，有感於自己的本姓是遡源公所三姓之一，於是也開始參加遡源公所活動。

鄺劍鋒(右)的父親鄺鐵夫是紐英崙遡源公所復會
創辦人之一，嬌妻陳文珊(左)是紐英崙至校篤親
公所現任主席。 (周菊子攝)

                    近年來，紐英崙遡源公所人才輩出，既有雷國輝是紐英崙中華公所現任主席，以及華埠社區議會共同主席，鄺炎彬是麻州亞裔商會共同會長，也有鄺元傑甫卸任台山鄉親聯誼會會長，鄺國添曾任波士頓洪門致公堂主席，加上有宗親另一半是另一姓氏公所的主席，今年的遡源公所春宴，也成為僑團首長中最多自家人的一年。

雷如鏡是紐英崙遡源公所復會的6名創辦人之一。(周菊子攝)

               

鄺國添 (左起) 曾任波士頓洪門致公堂及紐英崙遡源公所主席，和現任
主席鄺元傑，鄺炎彬一起，在春宴前歡迎宗親到埠。 (周菊子攝)

波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn (右二) 頒表揚狀，紐英崙遡源公所
主席雷展灝 (右起)、鄺元傑、鄺炎彬代表接受。(遡源公所提供)
 

麻州將於5月11日起終止新冠病毒緊急狀態

            (Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 今 (15) 日宣佈，預定5月11日，終止新冠病毒大流行的公共衛生緊急狀態。

州長辦公室員工需注射疫苗的第595號行政命令規定也將取消。

奚莉州長在聲明中感謝醫療護理供應者及社區的辛苦，麻州在對抗新冠病毒上已有重大進展。她說，「我們知道我們有管理這病毒的工具，包括疫苗，口罩，檢測，治療，還有生病時就留在家裏，現在已經達到可以更新指導原則以反映現狀的時候了」。

麻州前州長查理貝克在2020年3月10日時宣佈麻州進入緊急狀態。奚莉州長感謝貝克政府在危機嚴重時刻，採取了重要措施。

5月11日結束公共衛生緊急狀態和聯邦政府的腳步一致。

州長辦公室稱，疫苗幫助了州政府行政部門員工的已注射疫苗比率從76%提高到99%。

不過這也是個有爭議性的方法，導致大約2%。或約1000名州政府員工離職。

               奚莉政府稱，將提交新立法，將允許彈性員工在院外透析中心多待6個月，以給他們時間恢復到新冠病毒前的人員配置，另外永久性的把高階維持生命運輸的緊急救護車上人員，從1名司機，2名經過認證急救人員減少為1名司機及1名經過認證急救人員。

               麻州健康及人民服務廳廳長Kate Walsh表示，從病毒大流行迄今3年後，人們的處境已然非常不同。在人們和新冠病毒持續共存之際，社區及醫療護理系統現在能夠把病毒管理納為治療呼吸道疾病的常設方法。

Driscoll Administration Announces End of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency in Massachusetts  

Administration also files legislation to extend certain staffing flexibilities for health care providers; Will rescind vaccine mandate for Executive Branch employees on May 11  

BOSTON – Today the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that the state’s COVID-19 public health emergency will end on May 11, 2023, to align with the end of the federal public health emergency. The announcement this week, ahead of the 45-day notice required by state law, allows additional time for impacted organizations to prepare for the end of the public health emergency.  

Governor Healey will also file legislation that would extend key flexibilities provided by the public health emergency, particularly around staffing for the health care industry and emergency medical services (EMS). The Governor also announced that on May 11 she plans to rescind Executive Order 595 that required all Executive Branch state employees to have received their primary series COVID-19 vaccines.  

“Thanks to the hard work of our health care providers and communities, we’ve made important progress in the fight against COVID-19,” said Governor Healey. “We know that we have the tools to manage this virus – vaccines, masking, testing, getting treatments and staying home when sick – and we’ve reached the point where we can update our guidance to reflect where we are now. I’d also like to acknowledge the leadership of Governor Baker and his administration, who saved countless lives by putting these important measures in place in a time of immense crisis.”  

“Executive Order No. 595 has been a successful tool for boosting vaccination rates and reducing the spread and severity of COVID-19 in Massachusetts. We’re grateful to the state employees who did their part to keep themselves, their coworkers and their communities safe,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “We encourage Massachusetts residents to continue taking important prevention measures to keep our communities healthy, like getting boosted, masking and staying home when you’re feeling sick.”  

“We are fortunate that in Massachusetts, the wide availability of vaccines, tests, effective treatments, and PPE changed the course of a pandemic that brought loss and hardship to so many. Three years on from the start of the pandemic, we are now in a very different place,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh. “While we will continue living with COVID-19, we can now incorporate the tools to manage this virus into our standing response to respiratory illness within our communities and healthcare system.”  

Governor Healey’s legislation would:  

Continue flexibilities currently in place regarding staffing for out-of-hospital dialysis centers. This would apply for 6 months to allow dialysis centers time to return to pre-COVID staffing levels.    

·        Authorize certain non-Medication Administration Program (MAP) certified staff to administer certain prepackaged medications in community settings. This would apply for 6 months to enable DPH to finalize reforms that streamline the MAP program training requirements. 

·        Allow staffing of Advanced Life Support level ambulance transports with a single EMT provider and a first responder driver (rather than 2 certified EMTs). This would be a permanent change based on the positive experience of this staffing model over the last three years.  

Executive Order No. 595 helped raise the percentage of fully vaccinated executive department employees from around 76 percent to over 99 percent. Mandates for staff in certain roles and settings will remain in place, per CMS and EOHHS regulations. 

吳市長和婦女進步辦公室宣佈產後教育和支持小組試點

MAYOR WU AND OFFICE OF WOMEN’S ADVANCEMENT ANNOUNCE POSTPARTUM EDUCATION AND SUPPORT GROUP PILOT This new initiative supports the reproductive wellness needs of parents, particularly Black and Brown women, who have recently given birth or are expecting to give birth soon.

 

BOSTON - Monday, March 13, 2023 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement (MOWA) today announced the launch of a Postpartum Education and Support Group pilot in partnership with Love Your Menses. The pilot will support and educate Boston residents, particularly Black and Brown women, who have recently given birth or are expecting to give birth soon, and create a safe space for people experiencing pregnancy and postpartum. This 10-week, free, virtual program will have an initial cohort of 32 participants.  “Ensuring that we are supporting all of our City’s parents during their postpartum period is critical in our work to make Boston a city for everyone,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m grateful to MOWA and Love Your Menses for this free program that will connect and support people experiencing pregnancy and postpartum across our neighborhoods.”  “As Chair of the Strong Women, Families, and Communities Committee in Boston City Council, I am pleased to see the City embark on a grassroots partnership project focused on pregnancy and postpartum,” said Councilor Liz Breadon. “My mother and two aunts were midwives in rural Northern Ireland who guided and supported families in childbirth and postpartum care. I look forward to learning about the results of this pilot project aimed at building capacity for persistent dialogue and education about the stressors of childbirth.”  The program consists of weekly virtual sessions including but not limited to peer-mentorship, consultations with OB/GYN providers, guest speakers, and a postpartum care box. Sessions will begin on Wednesday, April 5th, 2023 through June 5th, 2023. A virtual informational session for interested residents will be held on Wednesday, March 15th, 2023 at 6pm.  “As a woman of color, Latina and first time mom, I understand the first hand struggle women face during childbirth,” said Alexandra Valdez, Executive Director of Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement. “MOWA is committed to making resources accessible to all women in the city of Boston, especially those in communities that are underrepresented.”   The pilot’s sessions will be organized and facilitated by Love Your Menses, Inc, which was founded in 2019 in response to the growing wellness need present across Boston, especially communities of color. Their vision is to provide support by using community dialogue, evidence-based health education, featuring guest expert speakers, and postpartum care package distribution.  “We are excited for the collaboration to bring this important resource to our community,” said Asriel Walker, Executive Director at Love Your Menses, Inc. “We hope to continue to work with MOWA to put all parents FIRST during their postpartum period.”  The postpartum recovery period is the time where a person recovers from the crucial changes that occurred to their body during the antenatal period to the delivery period. New mothers of color are at higher risk of having postpartum depression yet are less likely to receive treatment. Research shows that social support has been proven effective in helping individuals cope with psychological and physical stressors in the postpartum period.  “Black and Latinx mothers experience poorer birthing and pregnancy-related outcomes than their white counterparts in part because of lack of access to high quality care and resources,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “BPHC is grateful for MOWA’s partnership in addressing these disparities. The pilot initiative with Love Your Menses will be an opportunity to break down barriers and reduce health inequities, better supporting Boston’s Black and Brown families.”  The Equity and Inclusion Cabinet and the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement are focused on empowering women and removing systemic barriers to their advancement. The City defines equity as ensuring every community has the resources it needs to thrive in Boston.  “Postpartum care is essential for the overall health and wellness of those who give birth and the child they bring into this world,” said Mariangely Solis Cervera, Chief of Equity and Inclusion. “This is an opportunity to provide a space for new parents to receive guidance from clinicians while building community with others who share the same lived experience.”  The registration form is available in 11 languages. Registration will close on Wednesday, March 29th, 2023. Interpretation and translation accommodation services during the program will be available upon request. To learn more information about this newly launched program, please visit boston.gov/women.  The Healthy Start Systems Division at Boston Public Health Commission also includes programs for pregnant and parenting families, including free, voluntary, and confidential home visiting to pregnant and parenting families with children under age five who reside in Boston. Through the Healthy Baby Healthy Child and Boston Healthy Start Initiative programs, BPHC promotes the health and well-being of women, children, and families in the City of Boston, particularly those living in communities that are disproportionately impacted by infant mortality and other health disparities. To learn more about BPHC’s programs, please visit boston.gov/bphc-newbornhealth.