Beacon Hill Update
Story Updated 4:15PM Thursday, July 10, 2008
Reps Sciortino, Donato Support Mental Health Insurance Coverage
State Representatives Paul J. Donato (D-Medford) and Carl M. Sciortino, Jr. (D-Medford) announced today that the House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to pass landmark mental health parity legislation that will require health plans to cover mental health and substance abuse disorders to the same extent as all other medical conditions.
“For too long, mental has been seen as less important than physical health. This bill will help those with mental health illness get the treatment they need,” said Rep. Sciortino.
“This legislation will allow individuals who need mental health services to receive treatment through their health plans while also changing the stigma around mental illness. Sicknesses of the brain require treatment just as every other part of the body does when struck by illness. That treatment should, and will be, covered by health insurance plans,†said Rep. Donato.
Representative Ruth B. Balser (D-Newton), the lead sponsor of the legislation and Chair of the House Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee, called the bill both “health reform and civil rights legislation” because it seeks to increase access to health care for people who suffer from mental illness and addiction.
Reps Donato and Sciortino say the bill is the next step in health care reform because not only will all Massachusetts residents be required to have insurance coverage, but the legislation ensures that the coverage in comprehensive by giving full coverage for mental illness and addictions.
Sen. Jehlen Featured in National Archive of Video Stories
State Senator Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville) shares her story in 1000 Voices, a recently released national archive of video stories that seeks to personalize complex social problems.
In the piece, “A Senator with Heart”, Sen. Jehlen shares how issues like family care and paid sick days have touched her own family and have informed her legislative priorities.
“I was honored to be a part of such a powerful project with the potential to start a more extensive dialogue on the tough issues that all families grapple with,†said Sen. Jehlen.
The project is sponsored by the Creative Counsel and the Fledgling Fund. Sen. Jehlen’s clip can be viewed on the project’s website.
In other news, Sen. Jehlen voted last week in favor of an energy reform package aimed at promoting and developing energy efficiency and renewable energy in the state.
According to a statement released by the senator, the Green Communities Act requires that electric companies purchase the most gainful and stable resources when purchasing power in an effort to save ratepayers money. The legislation also establishes a green communities program that will give communities the opportunity to take advantage of loans and grants to finance energy efficiency improvements and renewable and alternative energy projects.
Rep. Garballey Supports Child Protection Bill
State Representative Sean Garballey (D-Arlington), a member of the Foster Care Coalition, joined House Speaker Sal Dimasi, Senate President Therese Murray and others at a press conference last week to announce the unanimous passage of An Act Protecting Children in the Care of the Commonwealth.
The bill creates an Office of the Child Advocate, offers new mandates to protect against abuse and neglect, and calls for a Grandparents Commission in an effort to recognize the fastest growing group of relative caretakers.
The bill also changes the name of the Department of Social Services (DSS) to the Department of Children and Families and establishes an interagency child welfare taskforce to coordinate and streamline services to children and families who are receiving services from any agency in the state health and human services department.
Medford Delegation Supports Corporate Tax Reform; Clean Energy
Senator Jehlen and Reps Donato, Sciortino, and Garballey joined the rest of the state legislature in supporting legislation closing corporate tax loopholes, reducing the corporate tax rate, and clarifying the corporate tax code.
According to a statement released by the delegation, the bill closes loopholes that large corporations have used in the past to avoid paying state income taxes. These loopholes included allowing corporations to shift profits out-of-state and to define the corporation differently on state and federal tax forms.
The bill also reduced the corporate tax rate to 8%. The loophole closures will go into effect beginning January 1, 2009 and the tax cuts will be phased in over 3 years beginning January 1, 2010.
Medford’s delegation also joined the rest of their colleagues in supporting energy reform.
Legislators are calling the “Green Communities Act” “bold reform” aimed at reducing the state’s dependence on foreign oil and increasing the use and production of clean, renewable energy.
Among other provisions, the bill creates a Division of Green Communities within the newly-elevated Department of Energy Resources to establish a green communities program to allow cities and towns to take advantage of loans and grants provided by the state to finance the cost of energy efficiency improvements and renewable and alternative energy projects.
The bill also creates the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Auction Trust Fund, which will consist of funds recovered through carbon dioxide allowance auctions, directs the state to replace state-owned and operated vehicles with more fuel-efficient ones, and directs the state energy secretary to establish a program so homeowners or tenants can purchase renewable energy products for the home with no up-front payment, and pay them off monthly on their utility bill.
– InsideMedford.com