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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020 Page 17 BEACON | FROM PAGE 16 this year as the House of Representatives takes on dismantling structural racism in the commonwealth’s institutions, we should vote to declare Juneteenth a state holiday … Together, we are still breaking chains.” “Juneteenth Independence Day … also serves as a reminder that we still have a long way to go to address slavery’s enduring legacy of racism and discrimination,” said House Republican Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “Although Juneteenth has been offi cially observed in Massachusetts since 2007 with the annual issuance of a proclamation by the governor, making it a full legal holiday is a way to further acknowledge the work that still needs to be done to ensure true equality for all Americans.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE (S 2769) Senate 38-0, approved and sent to the House, a bill sponsors say will increase access to health care, protect patients and enhance quality care. The measure requires insurance carriers, including MassHealth, to cover telehealth services in any case where the same in-person service would be covered and requires reimbursement rates to match in-person services over the next two years. It also eliminates “surprise billing,” the much-criticized practice of charging unsuspecting patients who received health care services outside of their insurance plan’s network for costs that insurers refuse to pay. Other provisions would allow registered nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists and psychiatric nurse mental health specialists who meet specifi c education and training standards to practice independently; recognize pharmacists as health care providers, enabling them to integrate more fully into coordinated care teams; and create a new professional license for “dental therapists,” who will be authorized to provide dental hygiene and other oral health services. Supporters note that this will help expand access to dental care in underserved communities. “The [bill] ensures that our healthcare system can continue to deliver quality, affordable and accessible care long after the COVID-19 state of emergency has ended,” said Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate chair of the Committee on Health Care Financing. “By increasing access to telehealth services, eliminating the unfair practice of surprise billing and expanding our healthcare workforce, we are taking important steps to protect patients and increase access to quality care for all.” “When it comes to making telehealth services permanently accessible, ending surprise billing and expanding scope of practice, let me be clear: we cannot wait,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “We have learned a lot about how to deliver accessible health care during the global pandemic, and we can and should implement these changes now.” “It is vital that we deliver accessible and equitable healthcare to people across the commonwealth,” said Sen. Eric Lesser (D-Longmeadow). “The coronavirus pandemic has revealed inequities and inadequacies in our current healthcare system, and it is important that we continue to legislate comprehensive healthcare reforms to protect patients and providers in the face of these unprecedented challenges.” Although no senators voted against the bill, some small businesses and health insurance companies have expressed some concerns that it goes too far. “We believe requiring plans to pay telehealth at an in-person rate for two years is too long, and we recommend a shorter time frame for the sunset of payment parity such as 90 days after rescission of the governor’s executive order mandating telehealth,” said the leaders of Retailers Association of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Association of Health Plans and the state chapter of the National Federal of Independent Business. They suggested that a transition period tied to the end of the COVID pandemic would allow for payers and providers to negotiate appropriate reimbursement for certain health care services that may not represent a comprehensive in-person consultation between a member and a provider. They also argued that currently contracted rates between providers and insurers for telehealth services cannot be circumvented by statute. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes CLOSURE OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES AT A HOSPITAL (S 2769) Senate 38-0, approved an amendment that would require the Health Policy Commission to report on the adverse eff ects suff ered after the closure of any essential services at a hospital. The amendment also would require an examination of the effi cacy of existing standards and requirements intended to maintain such essential services. “Unfortunately, my community and many others have had to face the realities of essential services being cut despite the Department of Public Health’s best eff orts,” said the amendment’s sponsor Sen. Susan Moran (D-Falmouth). “This amendment will not only allow us to quantify the eff ect essential care closures have on the quality and availability of care to our constituents but will also help determine how we can support Department of Public Health enforcement when these issues arise.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment). Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK'S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature's job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been fi led. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of June 22-26, the House met for a total of nine hours and 38 minutes while the Senate met for a total of nine hours and 21 minutes Mon. June 22 House 11:02 a.m. to 3:52 p.m. Senate 11:06 a.m. to 3:24 p.m. Tues. June 23 No House session No Senate session Wed. June 24 House 11:01 a.m. to 3:36 p.m. No Senate session Thurs. June 25 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:14 a.m. Senate 11:09 a.m. to 4:12 p.m. Fri. June 26 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Barbara Faith (Daniels) Nichols 90, of Holliston, passed away on Saturday, June 27, peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. Born in Everett to the late Warren and Edith (Shiehan) Daniels, she was the wife of 68 years to the late James Nichols. Barbara was an avid sewer and knitter, creating many quilts, bedspreads and dolls NAACP Mystic Valley Area Branch Launches Housing Assistance Program M EDFORD - The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) – Mystic Valley Area Branch of the NAACP has established the Mystic Valley Area Branch of the NAACP Housing Assistance Program to improve housing opportunities for low to moderate income families. The Mystic Valley Area Branch of the NAACP Housing Assistance Program, with a generous matching donation from our partners at Century Bank, will grant funds to fi rst-time home buyers towards their down payment or closing costs. Emergency rent assistance is also available. Through this partnership, funding will also be considered for limited home maintenance needs such as HVAC repair, wheelchair ramp installation, and other unexpected expenses needed to maintain a livable and accessible home. Low to moderate income families in our local communities are eligible (check application for additional details). Elderly residents, with no income restrictions, within the same geographic areas may also qualify. “The high cost of housing in the Mystic Valley area has made it diffi cult for many families to purchase a home. Owning a home can help families build wealth and achieve fi - nancial stability. We are excited to be able to help create more equity and access,” said Zane Crute, President of the Mystic Valley Area Branch of the NAACP. “This partnership will help families obtain affordable and sustainable homeownership. I’m thrilled to be able to provide additional guidance and expertise to families as they navigate the road to homeownership,” said Cornelius Prioleau, Economic Development & Housing Chair of the Mystic Valley Area Branch of the NAACP, as well as Vice President at Century Bank. “Century Bank has always valued our relationship with the NAACP and our community. Buying a home is one of the best investments a family can make. We are proud to off er support to help families purchase and remain in homes,” said Barry R. Sloane, Chairman, President and CEO at Century Bank. For information on how to contribute to the program or become a member of the NAACP, please visit: https:// www.mva-naacp.org/ OBITUARIES Ana Lucia Quintero Of Revere, formerly of Everett, on June 26, 2020. Wife of Rosenburg Garcia. Beloved mother of Guillermo Arango Quintero of Revere, Eugenia Arroyo of Jamaica Plain, Jairo Arango of Revere and stepdaughter Sulma Garcia. Dear sister of Maria Domilita Herrera Diaz, Dora Ines Diaz, Antonio Quintero and Luz Marina Quintero. Also survived by eight loving grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. over the years. She was also a wonderful baker, making cakes for a number of birthdays and weddings. She was a sweet lady to all who met and knew her. She is survived by her daughter, Michele Lapointe; and her late husband, Richard Lapointe of Holliston; three grandchildren: David Lapointe of Holliston, Joseph Lapointe and his wife, Blake, of Holliston; and Melanie Mulligan and her husband, Bill, of Southbridge; and one great-grandchild, Nicholson Lapointe of Holliston. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Paul Nichols. Services will be private. In lieu of fl owers, donations may be made to VNA Hospice & Palliative Care, 199 Rosewood Drive, Suite 180, Danvers MA 01923-4539. OBITUARIES | SEE PAGE 20

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