Senate Acts to Boost Benefits, Modernize Services, and Promote Inclusivity for Veterans

Senate Acts to Boost Benefits, Modernize Services, and Promote Inclusivity for Veterans 

Upper chamber builds on and approves historic commitment to those who have served  

 

(BOSTON—6/13/2024) Today the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed legislation to boost support for hundreds of thousands of individuals across the state who have served in the United States military, including nearly 30,000 women veterans and thousands of LGBTQ+ veterans.  

 

The comprehensive legislative package, H.4671, An Act Honoring, Empowering and Recognizing Our Servicemembers and Veterans (HERO Act), would increas benefits for disabled veterans, bolster support for businesses that hire veterans, update the definition of a veteran, expand the scope of the Veterans Equality Review Board, and codify medical and dental benefits. 

 

“We have a responsibility to support and empower every person who has served and sacrificed for our nation once they return home,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “We are a Commonwealth that has the deepest respect and gratitude to our veterans, and the HERO Act doubles down on that commitment to our service members by delivering the support that they and their families deserve. I’m deeply grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for introducing this legislation, to Senator John Velis for his work and sustained leadership on this issue, and to each of my colleagues for their efforts and support.” 

 

“I’m thrilled the Senate has reaffirmed our commitment to better the lives of our brave veterans by increasing their health care and mental health benefits, promoting businesses to hire veterans, and substantially expanding support services for active veterans and their families,” said Senator Michael J Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee. “This long overdue initiative will have an immediate positive impact on retired and active veterans, especially providing critical assistance to women and the LGBTQ+ community. I thank the Healey administration for introducing this comprehensive package to address the health and welfare of veterans of the Commonwealth.”   

   

The Senate’s legislation builds on the historic legislative package filed by the Healey-Driscoll Administration by including additional provisions which would:  

 

·       Require a public school district to provide support services to a military-connected student when a parent or guardian is called to active duty. 

·       Create a military spouse liaison to help military spouses with obtaining employment and child care, and deal with other issues facing military spouses. 

·       Allow Gold Star Family spouses to remarry without the penalty of losing their annuity benefit. 

 

Highlights of the Senate Bill Include: 

 

Benefit Expansion  

·       Expands access to Behavioral Health Treatment: Allows veterans to be reimbursed for visits to outpatient behavioral health providers.  

·       Increases the Disabled Veteran Annuity: Increases the annual annuity for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability, surviving spouses, or Gold Star Parents from $2,000 to $2,500.  

·       Increases the Vet-Hire Tax Credit: Increases to $2,500 a tax credit for small businesses hiring chronically unemployed or low-income veterans. Eligible veterans include those receiving SNAP benefits, chronically unemployed veterans, and unemployed service-connected disabled veterans.  

·       Increases access to the Active-Duty Buyback program: Lengthens the timeframe for veterans in public service to participate in the Active-Duty Service Buyback program and allows retroactive participation for veterans who missed the buyback opportunity. This program will enable veterans to purchase up to four years of active-duty service time toward their state retirement.   

·       Prevents the "COLA Cliff": Ensuring that a cost-of-living adjustment in Social Security benefits will not affect veterans' eligibility for Chapter 115 benefits in the middle of the state fiscal year.    

·       Increases Local Flexibility for Veterans Property Tax Exemptions: Creates two separate local options. The first allows municipalities to double the veteran property tax exemption without doubling all other exemption clauses. The second ties the annual property tax abatement amount to inflation, allowing exempted property tax amounts to increase with inflation.  

·       Eliminates the Fee for Specialty License Plates for Veterans: Waives specialty license plate fees on specialty veteran license plates and creates a new woman veteran license plate decal.   

·       Allows municipalities to increase the property tax obligation of a veteran in exchange for volunteer services.  

 

Commitment to Inclusivity and Greater Representation  

·       Broadens the Chapter 115 Definition of Veteran: Aligns the state Chapter 115 program definition of a veteran with the United States Department of Veteran Affairs definition. This change allows more veterans to be eligible for annuity, Chapter 115 benefits, access to the Massachusetts Veterans Homes, and other state-provided benefits. This only applies to EOVS programs and does not affect any other agency or entity.    

·       Expands the Scope of the Veterans Equality Review Board (VERB): Expands the scope of the Board beyond ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ discharges to include discharges related to Military Sexual Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, mental health conditions, or HIV discharges.   

·       Expands the definition of a veteran dependent: Expanding the Chapter 115 definition of "dependent" to support more dependents based on the Family Court definition.  

·       Updates Dependent Residency Requirements to Align with Current Practices: Updating dependent residency requirements to align with current practices.  

 

Modernization of Veterans Services  

·       Codifies Dental Assistance Benefits: Ensuring veterans receive essential dental care by codifying dental benefits for Chapter 115 recipients.  

·       Codifies Medical Assistance Benefits: Providing consistent care to veterans by codifying medical assistance benefits.  

·       Codifies Authority for Veterans Cemeteries: Ensuring proper management and care of veteran’s cemeteries by codifying the authority for EOVS to continue administering and maintaining the state’s two Memorial Veterans Cemeteries.  

·       Modernizes statute language for inclusivity and standardization: Revise Chapters 115 and 115A to ensure gender-neutral and inclusive language while removing antiquated references.    

·       Allows municipalities to deliver chapter 115 benefits by direct deposit.  

·       Initiates a Study on the Use of Alternative Therapies for Veteran Mental Health Disorders: Establishing a working group to study the potential benefits of alternative therapies, such as psilocybin, in treating veterans suffering from mental health disorders.  

 

Senators who currently serve and who have served their country in the past, lauded the legislation. 

“As a Commander in the United States Naval Reserves and an Iraq War veteran, it is my great privilege to serve in a body that commits itself time and time again to honoring our nations armed service members,” said Senator Michael F. Rush (D-Boston), Senate Majority Whip and Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. This legislation passed by the Senate maintains our state’s promise to our service members and their families that they will be honored as they have done for us.” 

 

“We don't rest on our laurels in Massachusetts. This bill modernizes our laws to ensure that the Commonwealth remains second to none delivering veterans services and ensures our vets have the supports needed to repatriate into our communities,” said Senator John J. Cronin (D-Fitchburg). “From modernizing how veterans can apply for and access benefits, to supporting businesses that help former service members reenter the workforce, the HERO Act delivers for all those who served.” 

 

“I am proud to support the HERO Act, a major step towards better services, benefits, and inclusivity for Massachusetts veterans. This legislation reaffirms our commitment to serving all service members and their families, positively impacting hundreds of thousands of veterans, including women and LGBTQ+ veterans,” said Senator Lydia Edwards (D-East Boston). “The HERO Act, inspired by Governor Healey's proposal, expands behavioral health access, increases benefits for disabled veterans, supports veteran employment, and updates veteran definitions. It also ensures stable housing and essential protections, providing the respect, care, and opportunities our veterans deserve.” 

 

“Very few are brave enough to raise their hand and pledge to defend our nation and the values that we hold dear, no matter the cost. It is on us - as a Commonwealth - to always remember, recognize, and honor that sacrifice however we can. The legislation passed by the Senate today makes comprehensive and critical additions to the HERO Act to ensure that we are not only supporting Massachusetts veterans but also our active-duty service members and their families as well,” shared Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield), Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. “I am extremely grateful for the dedication of my Senate colleagues, many of whom have filed legislation included in the bill passed today, and most especially for the leadership of Senate President Spilka and Chair Rodrigues in continuing to prioritize legislation that supports all those who have served and continue to serve in our armed forces.” 

 

Separate versions of the bill having been passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, the chambers will now move to reconcile the differences before sending the bill to the Governor’s desk.  

Massachusetts Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths Decreased 10 percent in 2023

 DPH Report: Massachusetts Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths Decreased 10 percent in 2023

 

Drop in fatal overdoses is largest decline in Massachusetts in 13 years

 

BOSTON (June 12, 2024) – Opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts decreased by 10 percent in 2023 – the largest single-year decline since 2009-2010 – according to preliminary data released today by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH).  

 

There were 2,125 confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths in 2023, which is 232 fewer than in 2022, when Massachusetts had a record 2,357 fatal opioid-related overdoses. Last year’s opioid-related overdose death rate also decreased by 10 percent to 30.2 per 100,000 people compared to 33.5 in 2022.

 

“While we are encouraged by the overall decrease in overdose deaths, this report also is a reminder of the work that we still need to do to bring deaths down for all people and all areas of the state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration remains committed to prioritizing prevention, treatment and recovery efforts to address the overdose crisis that continues to claim too many lives and devastate too many families in Massachusetts.”

 

“Our administration continues to invest in community-level supports rooted in destigmatizing substance use disorder by meeting people where they are and understanding the ways in which factors such as housing and economic insecurity intersect with health,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We are hopeful that the numbers released in today’s public health report signal a downward trend for fatal overdoses statewide.”

 

Preliminary data from the first three months of 2024 indicate a continued decline in opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts, showing 507 confirmed and estimated deaths, a 9 percent drop compared to estimates from the same time last year.

 

The decline in opioid-related overdose deaths last year was significant among white non-Hispanic men, whose overdose death rate declined 16 percent between 2022 and 2023, from 48.2 to 40.4 per 100,000 people. The data also show Black non-Hispanic residents continue to be disproportionately impacted by fatal opioid overdoses. Among Black non-Hispanic men, the rate of opioid-related overdose deaths increased from 80 per 100,000 in 2022 to 84.6 in 2023. American Indian non-Hispanics, along with Black non-Hispanic men and women, had the highest opioid-related overdose death rates last year among all racial/ethnic groups.

 

Looking at geographic diversity, the state’s most rural areas continue to record the highest opioid-related overdose death rate at 35.6 per 100,000 residents compared to urban, suburban, and less rural areas.

 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration continues to build on its robust opioid overdose prevention efforts and investments to support communities with a wide range of resources. This includes initiatives to address the disproportionate impacts of fatal opioid overdoses on communities of color and in the most rural areas of the state. These investments include increasing access to peer-led spaces to support those in recovery, funding for low-threshold housing and services, expanding access to medications for opioid-use disorder, expanding the Black and Latino Men’s Re-entry program, and developing a women’s re-entry component. The administration’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget proposes investments of more than $700 million for programs focused on substance addiction prevention, treatment, and harm reduction.

 

Drug overdose deaths in Massachusetts trended lower than nationwide figures last year, according to preliminary data released last month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nationwide, overall drug overdose deaths in 2023 were estimated to have dropped 3 percent compared to 2022, and 11 percent in Massachusetts. Deaths from opioid overdoses nationwide fell an estimated 4 percent in 2023, according to CDC.

 

The decline in opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts in 2023 occurred despite a drug supply that continues to be heavily contaminated with fentanyl. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, was present in 90 percent of fatal opioid-related overdoses where toxicology was available, preliminary data show. The US Drug Enforcement Administration has called fentanyl the greatest and most urgent drug threat in the nation. Fentanyl is increasingly being mixed with the veterinary sedative xylazine (“tranq”), which continues to be detected in the state’s street drug supply and was present in 9 percent of opioid-related overdose deaths in 2023, up from 5 percent in 2022.

 

“Every overdose death is tragic, preventable and unacceptable,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh. “While we are proud and encouraged that fewer Massachusetts residents were lost to overdose last year, we know that inequities persist, and our work is not done. Our understanding of where gaps in treatment and services occur, and the people who we are not yet reaching, drives our work and helps focus our efforts. That said, we are heartened by these results and will continue to build on our evidence-based approach as we build a network of community-based, low-threshold harm reduction treatment and recovery programs across our state. I want this decrease to offer hope not only to the people struggling with these diseases and their families and loved ones, but also to the committed and expert workforce across our state who do this important work every day.”

 

“It is heartening to see this significant decrease in fatal overdoses – a direct result of the ongoing hard work in our communities to reach those struggling with substance use disorder,” said Department of Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “To sustain these hard-won gains, we must focus even more deeply on the populations that have not yet seen such dramatic improvements. This means doubling outreach efforts in communities of color, particularly for Black residents, and people living in our most rural communities, who, as the data show, are most disproportionately impacted by overdose deaths.”

 

Massachusetts continues to invest in evidence-based harm reduction interventions to reduce fatal overdoses, increase awareness around the tainted street drug supply, and increase access to low-threshold services. This includes expanding access to naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and sterile consumption supplies. In 2022, DPH launched the Community Naloxone Purchasing Program to increase distribution of free naloxone through organizations, and directed funding to expand the state’s overdose prevention helpline, SafeSpot (1-800-972-0590, www.safe-spot.me).

 

As part of DPH’s ongoing commitment to transparency and data-sharing, the Opioid-related Overdose Deaths reports will be transitioned from their current format and incorporated into public-facing online dashboards. This update will bring the data together in an interactive way and enable a more comprehensive, in-depth view of overdose risk and substance use services at the community level to inform decision-making on policy and interventions. More information about the dashboards will be available at a later time.

 

Learn more about the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s opioid overdose strategy.

 

Key Points and Interventions:

 

• Since 2023, DPH has distributed more than 196,500 naloxone kits (two doses per kit) via nearly 100,000 encounters with members of the community and conducted by more than 200 community-level naloxone distribution programs. This has resulted in at least 10,206 overdose reversals.

 

• Since 2023, DPH has distributed more than 504,000 fentanyl test strip kits at no cost to providers and community organizations. Single-use fentanyl test strips help reduce the chances of overdose by allowing people who use drugs to test their supply prior to consumption to determine if it is tainted with fentanyl.

 

• DPH’s ongoing investments in temporary and permanent low-threshold housing for homeless or housing unstable individuals struggling with substance use disorder have led to the placement of about 600 people since 2021.

 

• $2.9 million in grants were awarded this year to 20 organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) to address substance use in BIPOC communities. 

 

• DPH funded five mobile Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) serving rural, urban, and suburban areas.

 

Among other findings of the report:

 

• Cocaine was present in 54 percent of opioid-related overdose deaths where a toxicology screen was available, alcohol in 26 percent, benzodiazepines in 25 percent, amphetamines in 11 percent, prescription opioids in 7 percent, and heroin in 5 percent.

 

• 48 percent of all opioid-related overdose deaths were between 25 and 44 years old; 43 percent were between 45 and 64 years old.

 

• Males comprised 72 percent of all opioid-related overdose deaths in 2023.

 

• In 2023, men aged 35-44 accounted for the greatest number of suspected opioid-related incidents with a known age and sex treated by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at 20.4 percent.

 

• 58.7 percent of all opioid-related incidents treated by EMS in 2023 were acute opioid overdoses and 1.7 percent were dead on arrival of an opioid overdose.
• More detailed information on opioid-related incidents reported by EMS is available in the interactive EMS Regional Opioid Related Incident Dashboard.

 

• The largest opioid-related overdose death decreases in 2023 were seen in Essex County (-21.7 percent), Middlesex County (-20.8 percent), Plymouth County (-18.9 percent), and Worcester County (-16 percent).

 

• Cities and towns that experienced a notable decrease in opioid-related overdose deaths in 2023 compared with 2022 were: Brockton, Cambridge, Falmouth, Lawrence, Leominster, Lynn, Pittsfield, Randolph, Waltham, and Wareham.

 

• Cities and towns that experienced a notable increase in opioid-related overdose deaths in 2023 compared with 2022 were: Holyoke and Taunton.

波士頓市長吳弭宣佈6土地發展夥伴 將在15處市有地上蓋70個住宅單位

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES DEVELOPERS FOR PHASE TWO OF THE CITY’S WELCOME HOME, BOSTON INITIATIVE  Six new development teams will create approximately 70 new homeownership opportunities on 15 City-owned parcels in Dorchester and Mattapan

BOSTON - Wednesday, June 12, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced that the City of Boston's Public Facilities Commission has tentatively designated the second set of development teams to create approximately 70 homeownership opportunities on 15 City-owned parcels in Dorchester and Mattapan as the second phase of the Welcome Home, Boston initiative begins. The Mayor also met with the development teams selected for phase 1 and phase 2 today in Boston City Hall. "Welcome Home, Boston represents a transformative step towards making homeownership more accessible for our residents,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “As we work to make Boston a home for everyone, I’m thrilled to partner with these six development teams who embody the talent, diversity, and passion of our communities. Their work will help make Boston home for everyone, as we create much-needed home ownership opportunities in our neighborhoods and reshape the industry building them." In October 2023, Mayor Wu announced the first phase of the Welcome Home Boston Initiative, with the first set of development teams currently creating 72 homeownership opportunities on 12 City-owned parcels in Dorchester. The vacant land from the second set of parcels released through Welcome Home, Boston, has been in the City of Boston's inventory for an average of more than 34 years. This land was identified as underutilized through the Citywide land audit announced by Mayor Wu in January 2022.  "I am excited by the designation of these six dynamic development teams for the next phase of the Welcome Home, Boston initiative,” said Chief of Housing Sheila Dillon. “These teams will transform underutilized parcels into new affordable homes, as part of our ongoing efforts to provide more homeownership opportunities for Boston residents. The fact that some of these parcels have been in the City's inventory for over 34 years underscores the importance of this initiative in revitalizing our communities and making Boston a more equitable and affordable place to live." In November 2022, Mayor Wu allocated $60 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to develop income-restricted housing and provide financial assistance programs to help Boston residents purchase homes. The City is making 150 parcels of land available to developers for the construction of income-restricted homeownership opportunities. Additionally, grants will be offered to eligible first-time homebuyers, which include reduced mortgage interest rates and up to $50,000 in direct assistance for down payments and closing costs. Programs such as the Boston Home Center (BHC) First-Time Homebuyer program, the Saving Toward Affordable Sustainable Homeownership (STASH) program, and the ONE+Boston program are part of these initiatives. The funding has also been used to create a homeownership program specifically for qualified Boston Housing Authority residents. Boston currently has an overall homeownership rate of 35%, considerably lower than the statewide rate of 62%. Homeownership rates in Boston vary significantly by race and ethnicity, with 44% of white households being homeowners, compared to 31% of Black or African American households, 30% of Asian or Pacific Islander households, and 17% of Hispanic/Latinx households. The development of these tentatively designated parcels and other City-owned parcels will provide opportunities for homeownership in neighborhoods that have high percentages of rental properties. The six teams selected to develop the second set of parcels are  Ambry Development,  Boston Neighborhood Community Land Trust (BNCLT)/Co-Everything,  Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation (CSNDC),  KNG Realty Corporation,  KZ Builders LLC, and  Visionary Investors Building Equity (VIBE)/Mass Construction and Management Inc. (MCMI).  These development teams are state-certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Women Business Enterprises (WBE), Veteran Business Enterprises (VBE), or represent Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). They have demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion within their leadership teams. The teams will develop vacant parcels in Dorchester and Mattapan under the guidance of the Mayor's Office of Housing. Each proposal includes a detailed plan to hire local and minority contractors and subcontractors, promoting diversity through the hiring and bidding processes. The new residences created will be available to families with incomes below 80% and 100% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Notably, the new buildings will be fully electric multi-unit developments, aligning with the City of Boston's commitment to minimizing environmental impact. The projects will meet the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Homes Gold certifiable standard and comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star standards. “Visionary Investors Building Equity and Mass Construction & Management, Inc would like to thank the City of Boston, Mayor Wu, Mayor’s Office of Housing and the entire team for their investment and commitment to creating more affordable home ownership opportunities,” said F. Marie Morisset, Managing Partner, VIBE. "We are both humbled and incredibly excited to have been designated as one of the development teams for the Welcome Home, Boston Phase II initiative. We can't wait to pass on keys to these new homes!”  The recent vote by the Public Facilities Commission in April granted tentative designation to the selected development teams, triggering a period during which the developers will collaborate with the City to finalize the design and financial aspects of their plans, undergo the Boston Planning and Development Agency's Article 80 Design Review, and secure project funding. After this period, the Public Facilities Commission will vote to convey the property to the developer, at which point MOH will conclude the sale of the property, paving the way for construction to commence

第45屆波士頓龍舟賽各隊領獎英姿 (圖片專輯)