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THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, November 11, 2022 Page 13 GREATER BOSTON LEAGUE NOTEBOOK: Congratulations on another GBL Football title for Everett Malden back in action in this week’s consolation round Special to the Advocate, Courtesy of the Greater Boston League t may be one of the most prolifi c championship stories in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. If anyone comes across another one close – please contact us! The Greater Boston League (GBL) has determined its I league champion for 2022 and – drum roll please – it’s Everett High Crimson Tide! It is the 24th time in the past 30 years that Everett High School has been crowned GBL Football Champion! And that includes two years when there was no champion crowned (2020, 2021) and two other years when Everett (and the other then, three, GBLers were members of the Northeastern Conference [NEC]). That means that only two times in the past 30 years when the title was up for competition since 1992 Everett has not won the crown: 2001 (Cambridge) and 2015 (Malden). Congratulations to third-year Head Coach Rob DiLoreto and the Crimson Tide Football team on another winning season! Good luck on the road in the BHRC | FROM PAGE 8 chair stops functioning, manufacturers, lessors and dealers must assess the wheelchair within three days, provide a temporary wheelchair on loan within four days and cover any other costs to the user; and authorizing the attorney general and consumers to bring legal actions against any violation of provisions protecting wheelchair users from unfair and deceptive business practices relating to warranty-fulfi llment. Supporters said wheelchair repairs pose substantial problems for people with physical disabilities. The noted that it is not uncommon for those who use wheelchairs to wait for weeks for repairs. This leaves these individuals stranded at home and unable to go to work, school, medical appointments, grocery shopping or elsewhere. This creates a crisis for individuals and families and often exacerbates other health conditions. Existing state law does not set any timeline for assessing repairs or require dealers to off er wheelchairs on loan within a fi xed time period. “This bill's passage is an important step forward to protect wheelchair users and their families," said the bill’s sponsor Sen. John Cronin (D-Lunenberg). “The bill implements critical protections in the law to prevent wheelchair users from being stranded in their homes for prolonged periods when their wheelchair or mobility device becomes inoperable.” “I have fought my entire career to make Massachusetts a more inclusive place for people of all abilities to live, work and play,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “It is especially fi tting that the Senate has passed these bills on the same day that we adjourn in memory of Paul Spooner, a committed and tireless disability rights and Everett Logo playoff s at Central Catholic Friday night after the opening round win over Taunton. **** Malden High football is back in action this week after taking a “bye” due to an infl ux of injuries, and hosted Beverly last night. The Malden High football squad (3-5) returned to action after not playing in the consolation round of the MIAA State Football Playoff s this week by choice. Malden hosted Beverly (2-7) last night at Macdonald Stadium. The season will conclude for Malden with a Thanksgiving matchup on Tuesday, November 22 at 7:30 p.m. at historic Fenway Park. inclusion activist working in MetroWest and a dear friend of mine. By helping us move closer to our goal of ensuring that all people have opportunities to live independently, we honor Paul’s legacy and make the Massachusetts a more compassionate and accessible commonwealth.” SUPPORTED DECISION-MAKING (S 2848) – The Senate approved and sent to the House a bill creating the option for individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability, dementia or mental health diagnosis to enter into an agreement of “supported decision-making” as an alternative to traditional guardianship. In a guardianship, the guardian makes medical, fi nancial and other major life decisions for the person. Under a supported decision-making agreement, an individual actually makes his or her own decisions with the support of a designated person or team and his or her decision cannot be overridden by the supporters. “I am incredibly proud that this life-changing legislation has advanced through the Senate,” said Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem), the sponsor of the measure. “Supported decision-making agreements maximize the dignity, freedom and independence of persons with disabilities and provide a proven, cost-eff ective and less restrictive alternative to guardianship … Everyone should have the opportunity to be the decision-maker of their own lives, and this legislation will empower many for whom that was not previously possible.” “People with disabilities deserve the freedom to maintain their independence and dignity,” said Sen. SusanMoran (D-Falmouth), chair of the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. “I’m proud to vote for this bill to enable supported decision making for people with GBL Logo A major infl ux of injuries to key personnel has made it a trying task to get out on the fi eld for experienced starters for Malden, and the decision was made to sit out this fi rst week of consolation competition. Malden has lost the services of two of its captains for the season with knee injuries, leading rusher and scorer Mak Blaise and defensive end Zach Pan and a slew of other players have missed time as well with a variety of injuries. Malden started the season hot, at 3-1, but has since dropped four straight games: to Lynn Classical, Lynn English, Everett and last week, Revere (23-0). disabilities and take another strong step in supporting residents with disabilities in the commonwealth.” “I have had the opportunity, as the Senate chair of Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities to meet with many individuals across our state who are both strong advocates for supported decision-making and could greatly benefi t from this bill,” said Sen. Adam Gomez (D-Springfi eld), chair of the Senate Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. “Supported decision-making is a no-brainer that allows individuals, including those with disabilities and elders, to maintain their rights and independence, allowing them to choose one or more trusted advisors to provide assistance in making decisions about their lives. I am thrilled that this legislation is moving forward and I know it will change many lives.” STEP THERAPY (H 4929) – Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law a bill that limits the use of health care plan mandated prescription drug “step therapy” protocols and provides more exemptions to the mandate. Step therapy requires the patient to try less expensive options before “stepping up” to drugs that cost more. Conditions which would exempt a patient from trying the less expensive drug fi rst include if the treatment will harm the patient, or if the patient previously tried the required treatment, or similar treatment, and it was ineff ective. Supporters said that insurers that utilize step therapy protocols require medical providers to prescribe lower-cost medications to patients fi rst, and only grant approval for alternative medications when the cheaper options have failed to improve a patient's condition. This results in insurers eff ectively choosing medications for the patient, even in cases where their providers have recommended an alternative. When paMalden High senior Mak Blaise (1), the league’s leading rusher and scorer, is out for the season with a knee injury. (Courtesy/ Greater Boston League) tients change insurers, they are often forced to start at the beginning of the step therapy protocol again, which results in wasteful health care expenditures, lost time for patients and potentially devastating health care impacts on the patient. “On behalf of the dozens of patient groups who worked so hard on this issue, we are thrilled that Gov. Baker has signed it into law,” said Marc Hymovitz, Government Relations Director in Massachusetts for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “This law puts treatment decisions back in the hands of doctors and patients where it belongs. It ensures patients will get the necessary medicine in a timely manner. Without a doubt, this will have a positive impact on thousands of patients across the commonwealth.” “We are taking action to ensure that patients with complicated illnesses receive the medications that their doctors know they need—not repeatedly taking medications that are ineff ective,” said sponsor Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro), Senate chair of Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Recovery. “Waiting for treatment to fail fi rst before utilizing a preferred medication often leads to worsening symptoms that cause complications and needless suff ering for patients. It is a shortsighted practice that puts patients at unnecessary risk.” “This bill is a major step forward in ensuring patients and doctors have access to the right medication at the right time,” said Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate chair of the Committee on Health Care Financing. “We are fi nally joining over half the states in the nation in reforming step therapy practices, putting the focus back on health care providers working with patients to off er the best treatment possible.” The governor’s offi ce did not respond to repeated attempts by Beacon Hill Roll Call to get the governor to comment on the new law/ INCREASE PENALTIES FOR HIT AND RUNS WITH RECREATIONAL VEHICLES (H 4504) – The House approved and sent to the Senate legislation, known as the James Ward Act, which would increase the penalty of a hit and run with a recreational vehicle that causes bodily injury from a fi ne between $500 and $1,000 to a jail sentence of one year and/or a fi ne between $500 and $1,000. The proposal also creates the penalty of up to a $5,000 fi ne and/or a jail sentence of 2.5 years for a hit and run with a recreational vehicle that results in the death of the other party. The legislation, according to the current sponsor, Rep. Kathy LaNatra (D-Kingston), was originally fi led by Kingston’s former Rep. Tom Calter in response to an ATV accident in Plymouth in December of 2012 that resulted in the death of 14-year-old James Ward. After the accident, the rider of the other dirt bike promised James’ father that he would run and get help, yet instead fl ed the scene without returning. The other party was acquitted of negligent driving and only faced misdemeanor charges for leaving the scene of an accident. “I am proud to see the James Ward Act fi nally pass the House of Representatives,” said LaNatra. “We must hold those accountable who are guilty of the cowardly act of leaving the scene of an accident trying to escape the consequences. I have gotten to know James, Sr. and Jill Ward and their family well through this, and I know how important this bill is to them. As a parent, it is my sincere hope that no family will have to lose a child and the other party only reBHRC | SEE PAGE 16

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