THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024 Page 15 compassionate care for individuals experiencing serious and persistent mental illness each day. The MA Repay program is a way to show our gratitude and commitment to the work that people are doing day after day.” ---Executive Offi ce of Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh on the state awarding $10 million in student loan repayment to 221 DMH direct care staff and clinicians across the state. “Supporting our performing arts centers is a strategic investment in the vitality of our communities. These organizations serve as hubs of creativity, off ering transformative experiences that entertain, educate and inspire audiences of all ages. By supporting these institutions, we not only preserve our cultural heritage but also foster innovation, economic growth and social cohesion, ensuring a vibrant and enriching future for generations to come.” ---Michael Bobbitt, Executive Director, of the Mass Cultural Council announcing $3.6 million being awarded to 58 performing arts centers across the Bay State. “Massachusetts has the best sports fans in the country. We are dedicated and determined. Especially Red Sox fans like those who continuously added their rallying call to end the curse to this sign. I’m excited to be joining the 2004 championship team, who broke the 86-year-curse for their fans, as we celebrate that history-making win and reunite them with this symbol of their fans who never gave up.” ---Gov. Maura Healey, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Red Sox winning the 2004 World Series, showing off the famous “Reverse the Curse” road sign. It was originally a road sign that hung off the Longfellow Bridge on Storrow Drive warning drivers of a curve in the road ahead, but was famously repeatedly spray-painted by Red Sox fans to say “Reverse the Curse,” in reference to the alleged curse that plagued the team after the sale of Babe Ruth and prevented them from winning the World Series from 1918 until 2003. “The Healey administration needs to refocus their priority to save money for the taxpayers of Massachusetts. Spending $300 a night for the emergency shelter program is simply unsustainable for the state of Massachusetts and its taxpayers. The state is struggling to be economically competitive while its spending is soaring. The responsibility falls on our governor to make the hard decisions that result in our taxpayers becoming the number one priority.” ---Paul. Craney, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, in response to The Boston Herald story that said the state is paying up to $300 dollars a night for some of the housing under the emergency shelter program. 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 - LEGAL NOTICE - Estate of: Date of Death: To all persons interested in the above captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner of . of has been informally appointed as the Personal Representative of the estate to serve on the bond. 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 April 8-12, the House met for a total of one hour and ten minutes and the Senate met for a total of two hours and 31 minutes. Mon. April 8 House 11:04 a.m. to 11:22 a.m. Senate 11:07 a.m. to 11:17 a.m. Tues. April 9 No House session No Senate session Wed. April 10 House 11:46 a.m. to 12:07 p.m. Senate 11:16 a.m. to 11:44 a.m. Thurs. April 11 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:33 a.m. Senate 11:10 a.m. to 1:03 p.m. Fri. April 12 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019. Healthy Travel Tips for Older Travelers Dear Savvy Senior, What tips can you off er retirees with health issues who are planning some trips? We’ve been looking forward to traveling again after staying home the past few years, but my husband has a heart condition and some back problems that worry me. Concerned Wife Dear Concerned, A dream vacation can turn into a real nightmare if you get ill or injured while you’re away and aren’t prepared. Before setting out, here are some tips to help ensure a safe and healthy trip for you and your husband. Get prepared: Before you go, talk with your doctor about your travel itinerary and what precautions you need to take before traveling. You should also have your doctor’s contact information with you when you travel, as well as a list of the medications you’re taking in case you need emergency medical care while you’re away. It’s also a smart idea to locate health clinics or urgent care facilities near the areas you’re visiting. Your hotel can help you with this or a simple internet search can identify nearby health care services. If you’re traveling abroad, the U.S. consulate or embassy in the countries you’re visiting (go to step.state.gov to enroll your trip) is a good place to get a referral. Or use the International Society of Travel Medicine’s directory at ISTM.org. If you’re traveling outside the U.S., you also need to fi nd out the health conditions of the country you’re visiting and what, if any, vaccinations and/ or preventative medications are recommended. See CDC. gov/travel or call 800-2324636 to get this information. Check your insurance: If you have private health insurance or a Medicare Advantage plan through an HMO or PPO that covers in-network doctors only, check your plan to fi nd out what’s covered if you need medical care when traveling outside your geographic area. Benefi ciaries that have original Medicare are covered everywhere in the U.S. But if you’re traveling abroad, you won’t be covered outside the U.S. and its territories except in rare circumstances, although some Medicare Advantage plans and some Medigap supplemental policies do provide limited coverage. Most private health plans don’t pay health care costs outside the U.S. either. Be sure to check. Many retirees traveling abroad purchase travel insurance with medical coverage, which may cover expenses if you cancel the trip, need to be treated while traveling or need to be evacuated for medical care. Make sure the policy will also cover your preexisting medical conditions. To shop and compare policies visit TravelInsurance.com, InsureMyTrip.com or SquareMouth.com. Organize your medications: Make sure you have a suffi cient supply of medications to last the entire trip. If traveling by air, you need to pack your medicine in your carry-on bag, so if your checked luggage gets lost or misdirected you won’t be without. It’s best to keep your medications in their original containers to get through airport security without delays. It’s also a good idea to bring along a note from your doctor that explains why you take these medications, especially if syringes or other medical supplies are involved. For airport security requirements visit TSA.gov — click on “Disabilities and Medical Conditions.” You can also call TSA Cares at 855-787-2227 prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. Maximize technology: Keep a list of your medications and other important health and medical information handy on your smartphone so you can easily access and share it with emergency health care providers when you’re traveling. Some good apps that can help with this are Backpack Health (BackpackHealth.com) and Capzule (Capzule.com). 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.
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