Hi ,
It’s been a very busy few weeks on Beacon Hill and I’m excited to share with you all some updates. As longtime readers of my newsletter know, I prefer to focus on a deep dive of one topic/bill at a time. So I will try to keep to that format and share more frequently as more bills move forward.
This week, I want to update you on the maternal health omnibus bill. I’m proud of working with my colleagues on this bill, specifically on the provisions pertaining to Black maternal health and health equity. I feel deeply fortunate to work with fellow women of color legislators, mothers, and many neighbors and friends with lived experience on this important issue. The bill recently passed the House and will hopefully advance through the Senate soon.
I’ll share with you why this is so important, how we got here, what was included in the House version, and what wasn’t included in the House version so that together we can effectively advocate to the Senate. |
Why health equity and Black maternal health?
Structural racism is a public health crisis. While Boston is home to some of the best medical research hospitals in the world, health disparities by race are deeply shocking and disturbing. The life expectancy of Back Bay residents is nearly 92 years, but if you go just two miles to Roxbury, the life expectancy is 69 years, that is a 23 year difference in life expectancy, according to a recent report by the Boston Public Health Commission.
These disparities are just as damning with the Black maternal morbidity crisis. Black women experienced 2.5 times higher rates of complications than white women and Black maternal morbidity increased 10.1% each year over the past 10 years, according to a report by the MA Department of Public Health. Furthermore, maternal morbidity for all pregnant people has doubled from 2011 to 2020. Here is a graph from a Globe article that succinctly summarizes the findings in this report.
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There is no other way to put this, this is an urgent crisis. Nationally, the Supreme Court’s cruel Dobbs decision has exacerbated this and extremists continue to wage attacks on maternal health and reproductive justice. We here in Massachusetts have the responsibility to step up and lead by passing legislation that reverses this horrifying direction of maternal morbidity and eliminates racial disparities for birthing people.
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How we got here
Back in early 2021, the legislature created the Special Commission on Racial Inequities in Maternal Health. Over a one-year period, stakeholders including, elected officials, experts in the maternal health field, and community members came together to discuss the current state of racial inequity in maternal health and put forth key recommendations. This culminated in publishing their report in May 2022 which you can find here.
Many of their recommendations were filed as bills which I will describe below. But in summary, the bills promote community-based and holistic approaches to maternity and postpartum care, which includes supporting doulas, midwives, and community birthing centers. |
What we passed in the House In summary, the omnibus maternal health bill: -
Creates a state licensure pathway for midwives and lactation consultants
- Encourages the creation of more freestanding birth centers, and
- Mandates that postpartum depression screenings and prenatal screenings are performed by certain health care professionals, and that health insurers provide coverage for this.
I also want to uplift some amendments that were championed by my colleagues. Rep. Fluker Oakley filed and successfully passed an amendment on equitable reimbursement for Certified Nurse Midwives. Right now, the only people who can have at-home births, including pre and post-natal care by midwives, are those who can pay for it out of pocket. This is deeply important because in order for maternal healthcare to be accessible to Black and Brown and low-income communities, you need to equitably reimburse and cover it.
Rep. Sabadosa also filed and successfully passed an amendment to add paid pregnancy loss leave to the Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law. Currently, there is a stigma surrounding pregnancy loss even though 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage. This works to remove the stigma and allows those suffering from the loss of a pregnancy time to grieve and seek the care they need. These are just two amendments among many that were passed as part of the bill.
In addition to this bill, as part of the Women’s Caucus, we met with the Governor and Lt. Governor to advocate for more funding for workforce and infrastructure for organizations that provide maternal health and family planning services in Massachusetts. Earlier this spring, the Healey administration announced a $10M grant program. This is critical for increasing access to prenatal and postpartum services and expanding perinatal workforce development.
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What we didn’t pass and need to continue to advocate for in the Senate
While I’m very proud of the monumental work accomplished in this legislation, there are still recommendations from the Special Commission on Racial Inequities in Maternal Health that were not included. Some maternal health professionals lack cultural competence. As a result, essential birthing resources like doula care is often not be offered or accessible, leading to stress and potential harm for parents in need. We need to provide culturally competent doula, social work, and maternal mental health professionals throughout the birthing process with insurance coverage until the baby is 1 years old. We must include doula and mental health consultations in prenatal visits, especially for high-risk pregnancies and educate birthing individuals on the support available from doulas, midwives, mental health professionals, and obstetricians. We also must ensure Medicaid-enrolled and privately insured pregnant and postpartum individuals can access a doula if desired through comprehensive insurance coverage. Senator Miranda and Rep. Sabadosa have both filed bills and championed these issues and I’m proud to work with them on advocating for this key part of birthing justice.
Another aspect not included is on mandatory reporting requirements. Massachusetts is the only state in New England in which healthcare providers must report the birth of a substance-exposed newborn to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) for suspected abuse or neglect, initiating an invasive screening process. This mandatory reporting applies even if the substance was prescribed for addiction treatment or if the healthcare provider does not believe the infant is at risk. The law needs to be updated to prioritize the child's best interests and align Massachusetts policy with other New England states while adhering to federal requirements. Providers would no longer automatically file a report for prenatal substance exposure, reducing unnecessary DCF reports and state costs; instead, they would anonymously notify the Department of Public Health about substance-exposed newborns. This change aims to reduce inequities and discrimination in child welfare reporting and healthcare, encouraging more pregnant individuals with substance use disorders to seek prenatal care and maintain treatment, thereby improving maternal and infant health outcomes.
Please join me in reaching out to our state senators to support these changes. I am committed to ensuring that all of the recommendations that came from the work done by the Special Commission is included in the final version of this bill. |
Event updates on Beacon Hill and in Somerville Reentry & Community Symposium Tufts University Prison Initiative:
I recently spoke at the Reentry & Community Symposium hosted by the Tufts University Prison Initiative at Tisch College. The symposium looked at three pieces needed for reentry: housing, employment, and social and emotional well-being. It was moving to hear all the students and speakers share their stories. For my part, I'm going to continue to fight to ensure that returning citizens receive all the support they need to succeed, starting with making sure everyone has a MassID or drivers license, MassHealth, and SSID.
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Public meeting on the planned renovations at the Edgerly Building
Earlier this spring, I attended an informative community meeting about the planned renovations at the Edgerly Building. Parents raised important questions around options for busing, preserving the McGrath pedestrian bridge, and the lack of safe street crossings for families. I have since raised these concerns with the various state stakeholders including MassDOT. I also learned about WHCIS 8th graders working on researching options for a new Winter Hill School! Check out there project and follow them on Instagram. Thank you Mayor Ballantyne and Superintendent Carmona for hosting and answering questions and thanks to my colleagues in city government for your advocacy on the evolving challenges for the WHCIS community. |
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley's re-election kickoff event
Had a great time at Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley's re-election kickoff! Congresswoman Pressley's unwavering commitment to equitable policies and grassroots advocacy is indispensable in shaping a future where every voice is heard and every community thrives. With her bold leadership in DC, we can continue the fight for social and economic justice. I feel incredibly lucky to have the representation we have here in Somerville and Massachusetts in Congress!
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Asian American and Pacific Islanders Commission Unity Dinner
I had the honor of attending the AAPI Commission Unity Dinner. It was a joy to be in community with the AAPI Caucus, Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Attorney General Campbell, and Auditor DiZoglio. A huge thank you to the AAPI Commission for putting on such an amazing event, award ceremony acknowledging community leaders, and performances. |
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Denim Day at the State House
During budget week, I stood with my colleagues to support Denim Day. This is a day to show solidarity and support survivors of sexual violence. Thank you to the MA Caucus of Women Legislators and Peace Over Violence for putting together this important event. |
My campaign kickoff!
I want to again thank the over 100 people who came to my campaign kickoff!!! Each and every one of you drives me to fight fiercely, it’s truly an honor of a lifetime to work shoulder to shoulder with you. We have so much work ahead of us, from the affordable housing crisis, fully funding and rebuilding our schools, stopping the climate crisis, investing in a safe and reliable T, and ending mass incarceration. That’s why I’m thrilled to work with you all to build a movement centered on community, justice, and dignity for all. We can’t do this alone and it was so moving to witness so many connections and bonds being made. Thank you to all abolitionists, healers, union siblings, housing activists, community movers and shakers, advocates, family and friends who came out. I have learned so much from all of you. Thank you to all my colleagues who came out including the entire Somerville state delegation Sen. Pat Jehlen, Rep. Christine Barber, Rep. Mike Connolly, former Rep. Denise Provost and city councilors Ben Ewen-Campen, Jesse Clingan, JT Scott, Jake Wilson, and Naima Sait!
A special thank you to the O’Brien family. Thank you to the #1 pizza in MA, Leone’s and the VFW Dilboy Post for hosting us. THANK YOU! |
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Join us for office hours
I will be hosting office hour after the July 4th holiday, please join us to ask any questions you may have about state and local government! Or just drop by to say hi and grab some coffee and pastries! - Monday July 8th, 6-8pm, at Gilman Pop-up Park at 350 Medford Street, with Senator Pat Jehlen and City Councilor At-Large Jake Wilson
Can’t make it? Please reach out anytime to erika@electerika.com or via phone at 857-264-1096, feel free to call or text, if I don’t pick up, leave a message and I or my team will call you right back. |
Wishing you all a happy, safe, and joyful July 4th holiday! As always, it is a joy and honor to serve you in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas! |
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