BEACON | FROM PAGE 18 said they will fi le the bill for consideration in the 2025-2026 legislative session. The proposal will not take away the right to purchase nicotine and tobacco products from anyone who is already legally able to do so. Instead, the measure would prohibit people under 21 who are not currently old enough to legally purchase nicotine and tobacco products, to ever be lawfully able to purchase these products in Massachusetts. “We all know the devastating health effects of nicotine and tobacco products, especially on our youth who are targeted by Big Tobacco,” said Sen. Lewis. “This bill will save countless lives and create a healthier world for the next generation.” “This legislation treats everyone fairly,” said Rep. Vitolo. “Those who are not old enough now to obtain nicotine products will never be old enough to buy them in Massachusetts. Those who are old enough today will always be old enough. This problem is going to take a generation to solve, and with this legislation we can solve it, one day at a time.” “We already have laws that prevent tobacco retailers from selling to anyone under 21–and they check IDs diligently,” responded Peter Brennan, executive director of the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association. “The current system works. Prohibiting adults from purchasing legal tobacco products in a regulated environment such as local stores is a misguided infringement on adults’ rights and will do nothing to address youth tobacco use.” ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMPBELL ISSUES CITATIONS TO SOME BURGER KING FRANCHISE OWNERS–Attorney General Andrea Campbell announced that her offi ce has issued citations totaling more than $2 million against Northeast Foods LLC, a company which operates dozens of Burger King franchise locations across the Bay State, for violating various state employment laws, including child labor laws. The citations include restitution for unpaid wages and penalties. Campbell alleges that the operator violated Massachusetts’ child labor laws, between January 2022 and March 2023 when it scheduled minors for work during legally prohibited hours and in excess of the state’s limit of nine daily working hours for workers that are 16- and 17-years old. She also alleges that the Burger King franchise operator failed to pay minimum wage and make timely payments to workers, and in some instances, failed to pay any wages to workers. “Our workplace laws exist to provide crucial rights and protections to our workforce,” said Campbell. “My offi ce will continue to enforce these laws to protect and empower workers, including young workers who contribute to their communities and gain new skills and experiences.” AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE–State Auditor Diana DiZoglio released the results of an audit of the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), reviewing the period from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022. EEC, which licenses approximately 9,000 childcare-related programs that support an average of 55,000 children daily, has responsibilities including providing fi nancial assistance for childcare services to families with low incomes, providing parenting support to families and providing professional development opportunities to employees in the fi eld of early education and care. The audit’s findings include charges that EEC did not conduct licensing visits to residential programs within the required timeframes. The report noted that EEC cannot ensure that its residential programs operate within safe and healthy environments if it does not complete licensing visits within the required period. The report also alleges that EEC did not review or initiate investigations of all reports of suspected child abuse and neglect in its licensed programs and failed to conduct all required background record checks for all employees of its licensed residential programs. “Our Early Education and Care audit has identifi ed serious issues that put children at risk,” said DiZoglio. “These concerns must be immediately addressed so children are protected. We urge the administration to respond with the urgency that this matter requires and look forward to our post-audit review in six months to track progress on our recommendations.” THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2024 $3.8 BILLION TO ADDRESS SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – Gov. Maura Healey announced that the state awarded $3.8 million in state and federal funds to support state, local and nonprofi t agencies working to combat intimate partner violence, sexual assault, human traffi cking and stalking. “This grant funding reaffi rms our deep commitment to ensuring a future where every individual can live with dignity, respect and without fear of abuse,” said Healey. “By investing in programs that support healing and justice, these grants will provide essential resources for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, human traffi cking and stalking. Professionals across sectors will be empowered to deliver trauma-informed, accessible services to help survivors rebuild and thrive.” “Safe, reliable access to services is vital for survivors of sexual and domestic violence,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “By fostering strong partnerships among prosecutors, law enforcement and service providers, we create a network of life-saving support that reaches those who need it most. With these grants, state, local and nonprofi t agencies are empowered to deliver critical interventions and services that help survivors on their path to healing and recovery.” GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL CERTIFIES PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS – The Governor’s Council certifi ed the results of the election of Massachusetts’s eleven electors for the offices of U.S. president and vice-president. All 50 states have to certify their votes in the federal election and send them to Congress to be counted before the Electoral College gathers on December 17 to cast their state’s electoral votes to make President-elect Donald Trump’s victory offi cial. Preliminary results show Harris received more than 61 percent of the Massachusetts vote and Trump won 36.5 percent. Secretary of State Bill Galvin’s offi ce announced that 3,512,866 Massachusetts voters participated in the Nov. 5 election, representing the second highest number of ballots cast in Massachusetts history, just behind the 3,657,972 ballots cast in 2020. BEACON | SEE PAGE 20 Sa Page 19 S nior ior Sa nr y Senior Senio by Jim Miller How to Talk to Your Doctors – and Get Them to Listen Dear Savvy Senior, How can I get my doctors to listen better? I just turned 78, and over the past few years I feel more and more dismissed by my doctors. I know I can’t be the only one who feels this way. Any suggestions? Dissatisfi ed Patient Dear Dissatisfi ed, Communication diffi culties between patients and their doctors is nothing new. Many older patients feel like their doctors are dismissing their concerns, which can be frustrating and lead to missed diagnoses and delayed care. If you believe your doctor isn’t listening to you, here are some tips off ered by the National Institute on Aging that may help. Prepare for your appointment: Before your exam, make a written prioritized list of any questions and concerns you want to discuss with your doctor, or print any online health research you’ve gathered, and bring it to your appointment so you won’t forget anything. If you’re in for a diagnostic visit, you should prepare a detailed description of your symptoms, when they began and what makes them worse. Be honest and upfront: Even if the topic seems sensitive or embarrassing, it’s important to be honest and upfront with your doctor. You may feel uncomfortable talking about memory loss or bowel issues, but these are all important to your health. It’s better to be thorough and share detailed information than to be quiet or shy about what you’re thinking or feeling. Remember, your doctor is used to talking about all kinds of personal matters. Ask specifi c questions: If you and your doctor aren’t communicating well, ask specifi c questions that require a response. For example: What might have caused the problem I’m dealing with? What’s the specific name of my diagnosis? Is the problem serious? Will it heal completely or require ongoing management? What future symptoms might suggest you need emergency care or a follow-up visit? When and how will you receive your test results? If you don’t understand something, don’t hesitate to ask: Can you explain that in simpler terms? Or: Can you give me more details about that? Take someone with you: Bring along a family member or friend to your appointment. Your companion can help you ask questions or raise concerns that you hadn’t considered and listen to what the doctor is telling you and give you support. Be persistent: If your doctor isn’t addressing your questions, repeat them or rephrase them. If you still don’t get anywhere, follow up with one of these statements: “I’m worried that we aren’t communicating well. Here’s why I feel that way.” Or: “I need to talk with you about X. I feel like I can’t. Can we talk about this?” After your appointment, if you’re uncertain about any instructions or have other questions, call or email your health care provider. Don’t wait until your next visit to make sure you understand your diagnosis, treatment plan, or anything else that might aff ect your health. For more tips, the National Institute on Aging off ers a free booklet called “Talking with Your Doctor: A Guide for Older Adults” that can help you prepare for an appointment and become a better and more informed patient. To order free copy or see it online, visit order.nia.nih.gov/ publication/talking-with-your-doctor-a-guide-for-older-adults. Consider moving on: If you’re not making any progress with your doctor and the problem persists, it’s probably time to start looking for a new provider. Depending how unsatisfi ed you are with your care, you could also notify your doctor’s medical group and your insurance company or leave feedback on their online profi le. If you’re dealing with a serious issue – like a doctor who prescribes the wrong medication or fails to provide test results in a timely manner – it might be appropriate to fi le a complaint with the state medical board. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
20 Publizr Home