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Page 16 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 26, 2024 BEACON | FROM PAGE 15 hammer out a compromise version. Provisions in the Senate version include expanding oversight of private equity fi rms, real estate investment trusts and management services organizations involved with Massachusetts health care providers; requiring a new insurance carrier to honor any prior authorizations approved by a previous carrier for at least 90 days following a patient’s enrollment in the new health plan; establishing a health insurance bureau within the Division of Insurance to conduct rate reviews of premium rates for health benefi t plans and disseminate information to consumers about health insurance coverage; and establishing licensing structures for certain health care providers currently not licensed, and not subject to Department of Public Health oversight, including offi ce-based surgical centers, urgent care centers, and health care practices. “Massachusetts is the health care capital of the world because we take seriously our responsibility to invest in and protect our systems, providers and patients,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “As we stare down a health care market plagued by high costs and the fallout from private equity mismanagement, the Senate has doubled down on our responsibility to our residents, making us a national leader in safeguarding patients, expandLEGAL NOTICE City of Everett PLANNING BOARD 484 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 ing access to car and holding private equity accountable.” “I’m pleased that the Senate has taken an expansive overhaul of the commonwealth’s struggling health care system with this regulatory redress bill,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “The collapse of Steward Health Care shows us that it’s now time to reform the system and make transparent the process of costs in relation to services rendered to patients. While Massachusetts is known throughout the world as providing the very best in health care, this legislation will make that care more aff ordable and accessible.” Sen. Mark Pacheco (D-Taunton), one of two senators to vote against the bill, said that his vote was designed to send a message protesting the lack of action from the Legislature to prepare for the threat the Steward crisis poses to healthcare access in Massachusetts. “Though I support provisions found in this bill, I believe it is important that the Legislature be more proactive as this Steward crisis unfolds,” said Pacheco. “Except for senators who have Steward facilities in their district, there was not an appetite to do that, and that is what led to my ‘no’ vote to protest the lack of protections the Senate bill should have required. This is a message that we are not doing enough to ensure that patients have access to the important care that these facilities should be able to provide.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes DUAL ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS (S 2871) Senate 7-32, rejcted an amendment that would allow dually eligible individuals, also known as duals, who qualify for Medicare and MassHealth, to access care from any specialist or hospital enrolled in MediLEGAL NOTICE EVERETT PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS: TO CREATE A NEW SECTION 36 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE ENTITLED “MASTER PLANNED DEVELOPMENT”; TO CREATE A NEW SECTION 37 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE ENTITLED “EVERETT DOCKLANDS INNOVATION DISTRICT”; TO PERFORM AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF EVERETT TO RE-ZONE CERTAIN PARCELS INTO THE EVERETT DOCKLANDS INNOVATION DISTRICT In accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 40A, Section 5 and Section 12 of the City of Everett Zoning Ordinance (Revised Ordinances, Appendix A), the Everett Planning Board shall conduct the required public hearing for a submitted zoning ordinance. Said public hearing shall be held during a regular meeting of the Planning Board, scheduled on Monday, August 5, 2024 at 6:00PM in the Speaker George Keverian Room at Everett City Hall, Third Floor, 484 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149. At said meeting, the public shall be allowed to speak on the proposed amendments to the City of Everett’s Zoning Ordinance, which contemplates to create a new Section 36 (“Master Planned Development”), Section 37 (“Everett Docklands Innovation District”), and to perform amendments to the existing Zoning Map for the City of Everett to re-zone certain parcels of land into the aforementioned Everett Docklands Innovation District. A copy of the proposed zoning amendment is on file and available in the Office of the City Clerk and the Department of Planning and Development, both located at City Hall, 484 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149 and can be inspected online anytime at: http://www.cityofeverett.com/449/Planning-Board and/or by request during regular City Hall business hours by contacting The Planning and Development Office at 617-394-2334. All persons interested in or wishing to be heard on the applications may attend and participate in the virtual hearing designated above in accordance with the information for public participation that will be included on the Agenda of the meeting that will be posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law under Planning Board at: http://www.cityofeverett.com/AgendaCenter. Questions and comments can be directed in advance of the public hearing to Matt Lattanzi of the Department of Planning & Development at Matt.Lattanzi@ci.everett.ma.us or 617-394-2230. Frederick Cafasso Chairman July 19, 26, 2024 care or MassHealth. “The adoption of this amendment would ensure that dually eligible individuals can receive necessary healthcare services without being restricted by provider network limitations,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Mark Pacheco (D-Taunton). “This provision maintains continuity of care, prevents sudden disruptions in services and ensures that duals, who often have long-standing relationships with providers managing their complex health and functional needs, are not forced to lose access due to network disruptions.” Amendment opponents said a separate bill, similar to this amendment, was shipped off to a study committee because there are not yet suffi cient estimates of the cost of the bill and other problem relating to it. Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington), the Senate chair of the Committee on Healthcare Financing, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her to comment on her opposition to the amendment. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes FINANCIAL INSOLVENCY (S 2871) Senate 10-30, rejected an amendment that would allow the Executive Branch to take immediate control of a healthcare provider’s assets in cases of the provider’s fi nancial insolvency. The Executive Offi ce of Health and Human Services would also play a part in developing a pathway, through regulations, to stabilize healthcare providers. “We must safeguard the healthcare services our communities rely on, even in the face of financial challenges faced by providers,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Mark Pacheco. “We are in a moment of tremendous uncertainty about the future of Steward Health Care. If Steward hospitals were to close, hundreds of thousands of people in the commonwealth would be at risk of living in a healthcare desert. This crisis goes beyond dollars and cents. It is a matter of life and death.” Pacheco said he will continue to push the Legislature to create a plan in order to protect patients in case negotiations between Steward, the courts and the Executive Branch lead to the closure of facilities. Amendment opponents said the amendment should be rejected because no one has any idea of the cost of the amendment, which they said would be very expensive. Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington), the Senate chair of the Committee on Healthcare Financing, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her to comment on her opposition to the amendment. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico No DRUG COUPONS (S 2871) Senate 6-33, rejected an amendment extending until 2030 the current law, due to expire in 2026, that allows consumers to use coupons to get discounts and rebates when purchasing prescription drugs. In 2012, Massachusetts was the last state to lift a ban on the use of prescription coupons. Amendment supporters said this program helps some consumers to save up to 80 percent of the costs of prescription. They said the program has worked well and should be extended to 2030 or be made premanent. Amendment opponents said the program does not expire until 2026 and it is unnecessary to extend the program right now. Some argued that the use of coupons drives up health care costs by luring consumers and encouraging them to request high-priced brand name medication. BEACON | SEE PAGE 18 RESNEK | SEE PAGE МС DIRESNEK| FROM PAGE МС BEACON | FROM PAGE МС LORETO | FROM PAGE МС

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