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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025 Page 17 establish a pharmacy assessment on prescription drugs sold in Massachusetts, where pharmacies would be charged 6 percent per prescription or $2, whichever is less. The estimated $145 million generated from the new charge would have paid for the costly MassHealth program. “I’m not a doctor … but I subscribe to the Hippocratic Oath,” said Mariano. “I do no harm, fi rst. That’s why in our House budget coming out, we won’t include any taxes on prescription drugs in our budget. That means no arbitrary taxes tied to a drug’s list price, or on our consumers fi lling prescriptions. We’re concerned about competitiveness and people residing and staying in Massachusetts, and adding two dollars to a prescription just based on the fact that you have to have a prescription — it was not something we wanted to do. It’s the wrong message.” HONOR ABIGAIL ADAMS AND ELIZABETH FREEMAN — Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) announced that busts of women’s rights leader and fi rst lady Abigail Adams, as well as freedom fi ghter Elizabeth Freeman, the fi rst enslaved woman to successfully sue for her freedom in the U.S., will be commissioned and placed in the Massachusetts Senate Chamber. Adams and Freeman will be the fi rst permanent busts depicting women in the Massachusetts Statehouse. “Whether by accident or design, the contributions of women who have shaped our commonwealth and nation have too long been absent from Statehouse art,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (DAshland). “Today we raise up Abigail Adams and Elizabeth Freeman as trailblazers and leaders who should rightfully be honored in the Senate Chamber. Their presence will help us send a clear message to every woman who walks our halls: you belong here.” “Representation is not meant to be a crumb,” said Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Cape and Islands), Chair of the Senate Art Committee. “The decision to place busts of two women in the Senate chamber is a meaningful testament to the extraordinary contributions of scores of women to our commonwealth. This marks an important step in our ongoing work to recognize the women and individuals who have shaped Massachusetts but have too often been overlooked in our history books.” Elizabeth Freeman, born into slavery in New York around 1744, became the fi rst African American woman to successfully sue for her freedom in Massachusetts. Inspired by the promise of liberty in the Massachusetts Constitution, her 1781 case, Brom and Bett v. Ashley, helped establish that slavery was incompatible with the state’s founding principles. After gaining her freedom, Freeman became a respected healer and midwife, later securing her place in history as a trailblazer for civil rights. Abigail Adams, known for urging the Founding Fathers to “remember the ladies,” was an early advocate for women’s rights and education. As a trusted advisor to her husband, President John Adams, she managed their household and finances while infl uencing political discourse through her letters. INCREASE THE NUMBER OF JUVENILE JUSTICES (H 1929) — Rep. Francisco Paulino (DMethuen) fi led legislation to address the shortage of justices in the Massachusetts Juvenile Court Department by increasing the number from 42 to 80. “No child should have to wait months or years for justice,” said Paulino. “This bill will help us reduce the backlog, provide timely interventions for at-risk youth and save the commonwealth millions by reducing long-term foster care and detention costs.” Paulino noted that Massachusetts juvenile courts now handle a broader range of complex cases than when the current cap was enacted decades ago, including child protection, mental health, truancy and emergency custody. He said that thousands of cases are impacted annually by judicial delays, with serious consequences for vulnerable children and families. QUOTABLE QUOTES “Thank you to #ICE and @EROBoston for removing dangerous #criminal #illegalaliens off the streets of #Massachusetts. @MassGovernor Healey and Beacon Hill Democrats are directly responsible for enabling these crimes through their sanctuary state policies.” ---Rep. Marc Lombardo (RBillerica) via X “I don’t know what the fi xation is, to be quite honest. We’re a very safe state. We’re not a sanctuary state. Local, state and federal law enforcement continue to work with and partner with one another.” ---Gov. Maura Healey on Trump Administration border czar Tom Homan. “Restoring the line item funding to $35 million is crucial to supporting Massachusetts residents living with HIV and preventing new diagnoses. This funding ensures continued access to essenBEACON | SEE Page 21 Are You at Risk for Kidney Disease? Dear Savvy Senior, What are the risk factors for kidney disease? My mother died from kidney failure a few years ago at age 75 but didn’t even know she had a problem until it was too late. Inquiring Daughter Dear Inquiring, Anyone who has diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems or has a family history of the disease is at increased risk for chronic kidney disease, a condition in which the kidneys can no longer eff ectively fi lter your blood. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, around 37 million U.S adults have chronic kidney disease, and millions more are at risk of developing it, yet most people don’t realize it. That’s because kidney disease develops very slowly over many years before any symptoms arise. But left untreated, the disease can eventually require people to spend hours hooked up to a dialysis machine or get a kidney transplant. Even mild kidney problems can double a person’s risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as cause anemia and bone disease. The reason kidney disease has become so widespread today is because of the rise of obesity, type-2 diabetes and high blood pressure which all strain the kidneys. Another factor is the increasing number of people who take multiple medications, which can overtax the organs. People over age 60 are especially vulnerable both because they tend to take more drugs, and because kidney function normally declines somewhat with age. Get Screened Because kidney disease is often symptomless, it’s usually undiagnosed. The only way to catch it before it advances is to have a routine blood and urine test by your doctor. So, anyone that has diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, or is age 60 or older needs to be tested annually. If your lab tests show a decline in kidney function for more than three months in a row, you might be diagnosed with kidney disease and referred to a nephrologist. You also need to know that while kidney damage cannot be reversed, there are a number of eff ective lifestyle steps and treatments that can help contain the damage, including: Control your blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure, get it under 130/80. If you need medication to do it, ACE inhibitors and ARBs are good choices because of their proven ability to protect the kidneys. Control your diabetes: If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible. Diabetes medications called SGLT-2 inhibitors have also shown to be eff ective in helping slow the progression of kidney disease, even in non-diabetic patients. Adjust your diet: This usually means reducing the amount of protein and phosphorus you eat and cutting back on sodium, sugar and possibly potassium. Your doctor can help you determine an appropriate eating plan, or you may want to talk to a dietitian. Watch your meds: Dozens of commonly used drugs can damage the kidneys, especially when taken in high doses over long periods — most notably NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medications taken for heartburn and GERDS, and herbal supplements can also be problematic. Talk to your doctor about all the prescription, over the counter and herbal products you take to identify potential problems and fi nd alternatives. Exercise and lose weight: If you’re overweight and inactive, start an aerobic fitness routine (walk, swim, cycle, etc.) that gets your heart pumping. This will help lower blood pressure, control diabetes and help you lose excess weight all of which will help your kidneys. Stay hydrated: Dehydration can aff ect kidney function, so try to drink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. Quit smoking: I f you smoke, quit. Smoking damages the kidneys and doubles the rate of progression to end-stage renal failure. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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