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星期一, 4月 01, 2019

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

For high resolution and additional photos, click here.

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. 

4/11歡迎宴已衝72桌 波士頓喊口號要韓國瑜選總統

台灣同鄉聯誼會馬滌凡說明韓國瑜歡迎餐會增至72桌。
(周菊子攝)
            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)331日,高雄市長韓國瑜在台灣說, 我堅持不考慮2020”。波士頓韓迷在紐英崙中華公所會議廳說,我們口號照喊,韓國瑜,選總統,選總統。歡迎宴籌辦負責人馬滌凡也報告,僑胞反應太熱烈,411日桌數增至72
黃定國(左)將負責位出席者和韓國瑜拍合照。馬滌凡(右)
主持籌備會。(周菊子攝)
馬滌凡的先生蔣繼美(右)和中華公所主席陳家驊確認買桌
席位。(周菊子攝)
             台北市長柯文哲的32122兩日訪問波士頓,和哈佛學者晤談,吸引300多年青柯粉歡聚的行程甫落幕,高雄市長韓國瑜預定411日訪問波士頓,引現的本地韓迷熱331日就在紐英崙中華公所再掀高潮,先是宣佈了歡迎宴桌數從68加碼到72,再有波士頓台灣同鄉聯誼會前會長陳永茂倡議,管他選不選,我們有權喊,手勢動作,激情十足的帶著現場近百人高喊,「舉起你的右手,韓國瑜!韓國瑜!舉起你的左手,李佳芬!李佳芬!舉起你的雙手,選總統!選總統!」,現場一片歡樂聲。
             全美台灣同鄉聯誼會波士頓分會發起的歡迎韓國瑜餐會,由於太受歡迎,主要籌辦人馬滌凡和黃崇校丈量帝苑大酒樓後,多擠出4桌席位,31日一邊發票給已付款者,一邊接受現場購票,還讓已買票者抽籤,抽中者可於12日早上8點,參加和韓國瑜近距離接觸的早餐會。
               大波士頓高爾夫球賽前主持人許國炯表示,他太太是高雄人。韓國瑜歡迎宴第一波出爐時,他們錯過了,後來聽到有新增席位,這天趕快來搶票。
楊建台(左),白剛(右)都是韓迷,好高興。(周菊子攝)
              由於有些已買票的人,為了位子不好很抑鬱,馬滌凡特地說明,當晚的舞台位置,已從正前方調到中間,這樣全場的位置和舞台都不會距離太遠。
左起,新英格蘭台灣商會會長李以蕙,波克萊台灣商會
會長楊羅東,柯曼雯,劉泰國夫婦等四人,都幸運
中簽,準備12日早上參加早餐會。(周菊子攝)
                由於有許多人想去接機,馬滌凡表示,她為此特地和台灣聯絡,得到的答案是,希望大家絕對不要去接機。另外則是哈佛學術論壇的事,馬滌凡說,每天都有人問她,那裡可以拿到票,或是哪兒可以買票,但那完全是個私人"論壇",就連韓國瑜的人也不知道細節,還強調他們自己也是客人,完全不知道應邀出席以外的事,再者哈佛費正清中心那兒也希望各界尊重這是他們的私下聚會,不要去打攘。
陳玉瑛(左)幫馬滌凡(中)處理發票,收錢等事宜。(周菊子攝)
             歡迎宴當晚,除了安排韓國瑜講話之外,馬滌凡將從外州請來特別嘉賓和她妹妹馬賓嶠聯袂主持。馬英九訪問波士頓時負責攝影,本身也是韓粉的黃定國,會以每桌為單位,幫出席者和韓國瑜拍合照,另外You&Me樂隊創辦人黃崇校將負責音響。早餐會已情商陳永茂做額外安排。
中華公所主席陳家驊(中)接受從華府趕來的TVBS電視台
訪問。
(周菊子攝)
          籌備會上,出席者紛紛發表意見,找停車位,安全考量,拍照合影,顧慮不少。劉泰國的發言格外不同。 他表示,如果韓國瑜真的不出來選總統,失望的絕不只是他一個人,而是海內外千千萬萬有血性,有良知的同胞。他認為,台灣已經搞到今天這種地步,如果再被不入流,如阿扁那樣的政客蒙蔽,欺騙,唬弄人心的話,台灣的將來就是一片灰暗。他說,波士頓的僑胞應該要有使命感,喚醒韓國瑜,讓韓國瑜知道他不只對黨,也對台灣所有人民的未來福祉,負有責任。他希望波士頓精英們能團結起來,做韓國瑜的後盾。(4/5更新版)








              
黃國威(前右二),以及梁氏宗親會主席梁立棠都來出席
這歡迎韓國瑜籌備會。(周菊子攝)
許國炯(左)的太太是高雄人,特地趕到會場搶票,和攝影師
黃定國(右)先套交情。
(周菊子攝)
劉泰國要勸韓國瑜參選總統,還要波士頓精英做後盾。
(周菊子攝)
陳永茂說,他們全家40多人都是韓粉。支持韓國瑜
是因為韓國瑜更懂小市民心聲。(周菊子攝)
馬賓嶠讓買了票的人抽簽參加早餐會。(周菊子攝)
You & Me樂隊創辦人黃崇校(左)將負責音響。(周菊子攝)
黃周麗桃(右)和她的廣東話學生也來搶票捧韓國瑜。
(周菊子攝)
貝克寧認為韓國瑜來時,安全問題得注意。(周菊子攝)
大陳同鄉會的梁玲娜(左),大波士頓中華文化協會會長
劉瑋珊(右)都來幫忙。(周菊子攝)

全球中國聯接波士頓開峰會 談科技,媒體、金融


(Boston Orange 張雨坤波士頓報導)全球中國聯接(Global China Connection)的波士頓大學分會,331日和布蘭岱斯大學(Brandeis),東北大學(Northeastern),塔芙茨大學(Tufts)合作,在該校法學院禮堂舉辦本年度峰會。
科技板塊座談。(張雨坤攝)
會議以從波士頓到未來為主題,安排有科技,媒體,金融等三場講座,請來9名專家分享經驗,提供求職建議,闡述各行業職業前景。
媒體板塊座談。(張雨坤攝)
科技板塊的講者有ARM公司市場發展負責人Bill NeifertBitblock資本執行合夥人兼註冊會計師紀滄海,求職網站Monster.com前任副總裁Paul Neilson
Bill Neifert介紹自己公司和網路技術行業的發展趨勢,指出越來越多行業都在應用網路技術,也會在網路基礎上做更多的跨領域合縱連橫。紀滄海談虛擬貨幣和區塊鍊市場的職業前景。Paul Neilson提供了很多實際的求職技巧,以及職場注意事項。
金融板塊座談。(張雨坤攝)
在討論環節中,他們談到區塊鍊的應用,在技術工作中管理能力的重要性,也就機器學習會不會代替人力資源發表看法。
Ted Chan用Care Dash來舉例分析。(張雨坤攝)
由於不少出席者提出求職問題,紀滄海建議,先進入自己感興趣的公司工作幾年,再在工作中不斷調整和尋找自己的方向Bill Neifert指出,建立關係的重要性。他舉例道,曾有一名波士頓大學學生打電話問他,在機器學習領域求職,要注意什麼,當時正好有一名招聘經理坐在他旁邊,他就把這學生的簡歷,放在近千份簡歷的最上面,讓這名招聘者馬上就看了。和許多其他應聘者相比,這學生雖然沒跑到終點,卻是憑關係,贏在起跑點。
Lena Hu的"一只火豚"有150萬粉絲。(張雨坤攝)
             媒體板塊的講者,有波士頓大學市場分析學教授Ted Chan,時尚美妝自媒體經營者Lena Hu,愛聲存娛樂(Love Survive)創辦人暨柏克萊音樂學院學生高力。
高力為中美音樂人做橋梁。(張雨坤攝)
             Ted Chan談投資時如何選擇低風險公司,並以他自己投資Care Dash這病患點評醫生的平台為例,做說明。Lena Hu是波士頓大學三年級學生,她的微博帳號一只火豚,有粉絲大約150萬。她認為自媒體行業未來發展機會大。高力認為自己的公司是中美音樂人橋梁。他從建立可靠團隊一路說到如何製作刷爆社交平台的爆款文,有如給人上了一堂媒體企業入門課。
             在討論環節中,他們還分享了自己在社交平台上的成功經驗與面對的挑戰,談如何讓自己的事業與眾不同,以及他們對媒體行業在社交平台橫行中的前景如何看法。
             高力指出,只有人脈是不夠的,你必須有項目來幫你使用你的人脈關係
             金融板塊的講者,有Purinomia生物科技聯合創始人王喆,前摩根大通執行董事暨Block Test聯合創始人蔣紅波,波士頓大學商學院教授Greg Stoller
             他們三人談區塊鍊技術,生物技術投資,以及如何在全球拓展自己的事業。
             在一整日的會議中,不少講者建議出席學生向專家請教,國際學生如何在美國找到工作。Greg Stoller還強調,你需要比你身邊的美國男生,女生,更聰明,更努力
             全球中國聯接波士頓大學分會主席薛宇歌表示,今年是該會第二次舉辦聯合峰會,增加了一所合辦學校,希望能把GCC的名聲傳揚得更廣。

Bio-IT World 2019 to Highlight the “Data-Driven” Innovations Shaping Precision Medicine


Bio-IT World 2019 to Highlight the “Data-Driven” Innovations Shaping Precision Medicine
From AI to Data Science, 3,400 Participants to Explore New Frontiers from April 16-18 in Boston

Boston, MA, March 12, 2019—From improving drug safety to diagnosing rare diseases to visualizing cancer genomics datasets, the future of precision medicine is being shaped by “data-driven” technologies and innovations such as AI, deep learning and data science. Indeed, the ability to harness, share, visualize, analyze and act on data is opening new frontiers in drug discovery and development, biomedical research and clinical and healthcare initiatives.

Today, Cambridge Healthtech Institute announced highlights of the annual Bio-IT World Conference & Expo—where more than 3,400 life sciences, pharmaceutical, clinical, healthcare and IT professionals from more than 40 countries will explore these advances together. Now in its 18th year, Bio-IT World 2019 is the premier event focused on the IT and informatics applications and enabling technologies that are pushing precision medicine ahead. The event will take place April 16-18 at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston and will feature several distinguished plenary keynoters:

·        John Wilbanks, Chief Commons Officer, Sage Bionetworks will discuss Open Science: From Ideology to Methodology.
·        Panelists looking at AI in Practice: How New Technologies are Changing Bio-IT will include Anne E. Carpenter, Ph.D., Senior Director of the Imaging Platform, Institute Scientist, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT; Iya Khalil, Ph.D., Chief Commercial Officer and Co-founder, GNS Healthcare; Mariana Nacht, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Vivid Biosciences; and Susie Stephens, Ph.D., Senior Director, Oncology & Vaccine R&D Information Technology, Pfizer.
·      Vijay K. Bulusu, Head, Data & Digital Innovation, Pfizer, will keynote the concluding day of sessions.

“The Bio-IT World Conference & Expo has both depth and breadth of insights. Here, our community can dig deep, applying the latest research and new products to propel their work forward, or use the event to gain a wide understanding of trends and areas of opportunity, sparking new ideas and collaborations. There are exciting technologies maturing in the bio-IT space, and there’s no better place to really develop your understanding of what’s available, what’s possible, and where to go next,” said Allison Proffitt, Editorial Director, Bio-IT World, who will moderate the plenary AI panel.

Bio-IT World 2019 will feature more than 280 educational sessions in 17 tracks, including three separate AI tracks focused on Pharma & Biotech, Genomics and Healthcare. It will also feature in-depth pre-conference workshops; 1-on-1 Networking; a FAIR Data Hackathon; awards for innovation (practices and technologies) and open access; and an Exhibit Hall with more than 185 leading companies and startups.

Register online for the full conference, an Exhibit Hall and Keynote Pass (free through April 5) or a press pass. A full conference overview is available at bio-itworldexpo.com