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Gov. Baker sends public health bill back with amendment

WebGov. Charlie Baker on Aug. 8 sent a public health reform bill back to the Legislature unsigned with an amendment. The legislation (H. 5104), known as SAPHE 2.0, aims to establish minimum standards for local public health departments, create a unified standard public health reporting and data collection system, and advance the capacity of state…

Actived: 5 days ago

URL: https://www.mma.org/gov-baker-sends-public-health-bill-back-with-amendment/

Healthy habits and diet help to boost the immune system

WebThe following are some excellent food choices believed to boost the immune system: • Beans, including black beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, lentils. • Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries. • Broccoli. • Eggs. • Fatty fishes such as salmon, mackerel and herring. • Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, collard greens and swiss

Category:  Food Go Health

Substitute teachers and health insurance: Who is eligible and when

WebWhich substitute teachers are eligible for health insurance, and when are they eligible? It seems like it should be a straightforward query, but the answer, and statutory background, is complex. As is the case for other Massachusetts municipal employees, there are two eligibility standards that apply to substitute teachers: state and federal.

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Legislature passes sweeping public health reform

WebIn late 2021, the Legislature allocated $200 million for local and regional boards of public health as part of its $4 billion COVID recovery bill, which used part of the state’s American Rescue Plan Act funding. The MMA points out that the federal dollars are a one-time resource, and future funding will require annual state appropriations.

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State reopens shared public health grants program

WebThe Department of Public Health’s Office of Local and Regional Health has reopened the Public Health Excellence Grant Program for Shared Services, with requests for responses due by noon on Dec. 3. The grant program looks to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of local and regional public health by expanding opportunities for sharing of public…

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Randolph to build school-based community health center

WebThe town of Randolph will soon start construction on a new community health center at its high school, bringing medical services to residents and bridging a health care gap that has affected the community for years. On April 13, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley came to Randolph to announce $1 million in federal funding, part of…

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The keys to successful wellness programs

Web“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” – Management expert Peter Drucker In recent interviews, wellness experts and town human resources and health leaders agree that offering a wellness program for municipal employees falls in the category of doing the right thing. But not all wellness programs are created equal, …

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DPH launches online Environmental Justice Tool

WebIn late July, the Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Environmental Health launched a new online Environmental Justice Tool to help further the state’s Environmental Justice Policy. City and town officials can use the tool to learn more about environmental justice and to create their own custom maps with information including environmental and …

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Health and Medical Coordinating Coalitions aid in COVID response

WebWhen the coronavirus public health emergency hit, the state’s Health and Medical Coordinating Coalitions were already organized and ready to help with the response. It was nearly 20 years ago when the Department of Public Health identified Emergency Preparedness regions in Massachusetts. Beginning in 2004, with 9/11 funding from the …

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Public Health Excellence Grant Program reopens

WebA Request for Response for the Public Health Excellence Grant Program for Shared Services was reopened on May 26. The RFR and other materials can be found online. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Office of Local and Regional Health seeks proposals from qualified vendors to support public health cross-jurisdictional, shared …

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Local Government 101

WebPowers and Responsibilities. Receive reports from a number of town officials and boards. Pass the town budget for the coming fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) Authorize debt issuances. Enact local laws, known as bylaws, including zoning bylaws. Approve fund transfers and expenditures for specific projects.

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Worcester has first accredited public health department in Mass.

WebMass Innovations, From The Beacon, May 2016 After the 2008 financial crisis and ensuing recession, the Worcester Division of Public Health found its staff cut by three-quarters, leaving just four employees. Today, it’s one of only 117 nationally accredited public health departments in the United States — and the first in Massachusetts. On March 17,…

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Health Policy Commission hearing examines cost trends

WebThe Health Policy Commission, established in 2012 to provide analysis of health care costs in Massachusetts, heard expert testimony and public comment on particular areas of the state’s health care system on Oct. 5 and 6 at Suffolk Law School in Boston. The annual health care cost trends hearing focused on the measure of…

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Municipal employers must understand rules of Affordable Care Act

WebMassachusetts paved the way for the nation’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) by passing comprehensive health care reform back in 2006. Because the state law has already been in effect for several years, employers here – including municipalities – may face less of a challenge in adapting to the new rules than those in other states.…

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Administration announces economic development plan

WebThe Healey-Driscoll administration yesterday unveiled its draft economic development plan, which aligns the administration’s economic development priorities, funding and legislative initiatives within three main areas of focus: investing in the fundamentals to enable economic growth; retaining and attracting talent; and supporting businesses. Gov. Maura Healey …

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How too much technology affects health and well-being

WebToo much screen time also affects us neurologically. A 2012 study found that internet addiction is associated with “structural and functional changes in brain regions involving emotional processing, executive attention, decision making, and cognitive control.”. Even while not technically an addiction, too much screen time can create subtle

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Gov. Healey files FY25 state budget proposal

WebGov. Maura Healey today filed her $58.1 billion state budget plan for fiscal 2025, which includes funding for local accounts that she announced last week at the MMA’s Annual Meeting. Healey’s budget bill, known as House 2, would increase the main discretionary local aid account by 3% over fiscal 2024, while increasing Chapter 70 school…

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Melrose bridges language barriers with translation devices

WebA small, handheld device is helping Melrose employees translate conversations with non-English speakers and is allowing the city to provide services more effectively to a broader range of residents. Over the past year, the city has been piloting the use of Pocketalk, a two-way language translation device that allows city employees and local community service…

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MIIA – the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association

WebThe Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) was incorporated by the Massachusetts Municipal Association in 1982 as a nonprofit organization to provide insurance services to the cities, towns and other governmental entities in Massachusetts that are members of the MMA.

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GUIDANCE FOR TOWN MEETINGS TO ADDRESS COVID-19

Web1 . GUIDANCE FOR TOWN MEETINGSTO ADDRESS COVID-19 . As of November 23, 2020 . Purpose . These sector specific COVID -19 safety recommendations for Town Meetings are issued to provide

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