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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2024 Page 23 Boards of Appeals to approve affordable housing developments under fl exible rules if at least 20 percent to 25 percent of the units have long-term affordability restrictions. “Mobile home parks should be considered aff ordable housing units under 40B and allow a community which has them to use those units towards their ten percent aff ordable housing stock the state expects them to reach, exceed or maintain,” said Rep. Paul Frost (R-Auburn). “Most mobile home parks were originally built as affordable housing units for those returning from World War II. They are aff ordable to buy and live in and therefore they should count as such.,” Rep. Jim Arciero (D-Westford) said the amendment is an attempt to bypass the 40B law and allow cities and towns a way to circumvent the requirement for providing aff ordable housing in their community. He said attempts to avoid production of aff ordable housing statewide, as this amendment seeks to do, are counter to the intent of the 40B laws. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino No Rep. Jeff Turco No ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL DON’T MISS THIS EVENT: WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THE NEWS INDUSTRY — As the news industry rapidly evolves and struggles with financial challenges, the local media ecosystem continues to adapt. Join MASSterList and the State House News Service for a twopart program that will explore the insights of some of Boston’s leading journalists and media figures about what they do, how the landscape is changing and what the future holds for the news industry. The event is at the MCLE Boston (Downtown Crossing), June 25, 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Get tickets at: https://massterlist.com/media-2024/ CHILD CARE FOR CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE (S 422/H 669) — The Elections Laws Committee has recommended passage of a bill that would allow a candidate for public offi ce to use campaign funds for childcare while the candidate is campaigning on his or her own behalf or attending events directly related to his or her campaign. Under current law, candidates are prohibited from using campaign funds for their personal use. The state’s Offi ce of Campaign and Political Finance has classified childcare, while performing campaign duties, as a personal expense rather than a campaign expense. “Too many women, people of color and other parents have struggled to run for offi ce while being the caretakers for their family, trying to balance caregiving with campaigning,” said co-sponsor Sen. Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville). “For many, this was too big a hurdle and they never ran. I would have never been able to run a successful campaign without the help of my friend who volunteered to take care of my young children for free. This bill will allow more women and people of color to run for offi ce.” “Prospective legislators with children should not have to choose between their families and public service,” said cosponsor Rep Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “This bill helps break down the economic barrier of childcare and opens new doors to make the path to elected offi ce more accessible. The committee’s favorable report is exciting.” “Our campaign fi nance laws are organized around the concept of spending that enhances a candidate’s political future,” said Rep. Mike Connolly (DCambridge). “Allowing childcare as a campaign expense fi ts well within that framework because ensuring access to childcare will enable a broader group of people, particularly women and parents in working families, to more fully participate in the political process.” FUNDING FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (S 2806) — The Senate approved a $1.24 billion bond bill to invest in information technology (IT) upgrades, improvements and new projects across state government. The House has already approved a diff erent version of the bill and a HouseSenate conference committee will likely try to hammer out a compromise version. Provisions include $750 million to improve service delivery to the public; $200 million for technology and telecommunications infrastructure improvements and maintenance; $200 million to support the security of the state’s IT Infrastructure; and $25 million for AI projects. “Today the Senate is investing in a safer, more efficient and modernized digital experience for residents and state employees alike,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “Our technology infrastructure is a lynchpin for nearly every service and resource our state delivers, and enhancing it is a fundamental step to increase access and create systems that work for everyone.” “I’m pleased the Senate has proactively moved to upgrade and improve upon the quality and effi ciency of the commonwealth’s informational technology for Massachusetts state agencies across the board,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (DWestport), chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. “Cyberattacks have been occurring with increasing frequency on governmental entities, so we can never be too vigilant in safeguarding our IT system and telecommunications infrastructure. It’s critical for residents and businesses of our state to navigate the many portals of the state governmental website safely and eff ectively.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “After a stay in the hospital, most patients are eager to get back home. These grants will allow patients to return to their homes and communities sooner and in a safe and supported environment.” ---Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll on the awarding of $1.1 million in grants to acute care hospitals across Massachusetts to expand the Hospital to Home Partnership Program which provides specialized expertise to hospitals to support discharges directly to a patient’s home, rather than to a skilled nursing facility or other longterm care setting. “As leaders of coastal communities, we are all concerned about the escalating impacts we’re witnessing due to the climate crisis. Through this new alliance, we can further collaborate with one another as we work to protect our communities. Coastal towns and cities are on the front line of experiencing climate impacts and we each bring a powerful and important perspective to the work ahead.” ---Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo announcing the formation of the Massachusetts Coastal Communities Alliance, a network of mayors, town managers, administrators, and other local officials from 21 coastal cities and towns in the state. “Legislators have committed to 2050 emissions reduction goals and used lofty rhetoric about the urgency of the climate crisis, then fallen short when it comes time to pass bills into law. We need a specifi c plan to phase out our dangerous fossil gas system as quickly as possible.” ---Dan Zackin, Legislative Coordinator for 350 Mass. — a grassroots organization working to end fossil fuel dependency and secure a transition to a clean energy future. BEACON | SEE Page 24 Dreading a Colonoscopy? There Are Alternatives Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any easier alternatives to a colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer? I just turned 60 and my wife keeps nagging me to get tested, but I hate the idea of drinking that laxative solution and being sedated for the procedure. Squeamish Steven Dear Steven, While a colonoscopy remains the most accurate screening test for detecting colon cancer (94 percent accurate), there are other easier — although less accurate — tests available. But be aware that if the result of one of these tests are positive, you’ll still need to undergo a colonoscopy. Here’s what you should know. Screening Guidelines Colorectal cancer, which develops slowly over several years without causing symptoms especially in the early stages, is the second largest cancer killer in the U.S., claiming more than 50,000 Americans each year. Colorectal cancer screening guidelines from the U.S. preventive Services Taskforce and the American Cancer Society call for most adults to get screened starting at age 45 and continuing through age 75. Earlier screenings, however, are recommended to people who have an increased risk due to family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, or a personal history of infl ammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. But despite these guidelines, and the fact that colonoscopies save an estimated 20,000 U.S. lives each year, around 40 percent of eligible people don’t get screened. Why? Because most people, like yourself, dread the laxative prep and sedation, not to mention the procedure itself. But a colonoscopy is not your only option for screening for colon cancer. There are currently several types of FDA approved stool tests that you can take in the privacy of your own home that requires no laxative-taking/bowel-cleansing preparation. The two most accurate that you should ask your doctor about are the: Fecal immunochemical test (FIT): This test looks for hidden blood in your stool, which suggests polyps or even cancer. Your doctor will give you a FIT test kit to use at home. You take a small sample of stool and mail it to a lab to be analyzed. You don’t need to do any prep. The cost of this annual test is covered by private insurance and Medicare. FIT has an almost 80 percent accuracy rate for detecting colon cancer, but it detects only about 28 percent of advanced polyps that might turn into cancer. Stool DNA test (Cologuard): This screening kit looks for hidden blood as well as altered DNA in your stool. Your doctor will order the test, and you will receive the collection kit in the mail. You do the test at home every three years and send your stool samples to Cologuard via UPS. No special prep or change to your diet or medication schedule is required. Cologuard, which is covered by most private insurers and Medicare, detects 92 percent of colon cancers but only 42 percent of large precancerous polyps. It also may provide a false-positive, indicating that you might have cancer when you don’t. New Blood Test There’s also a new experimental colon cancer blood test you should ask your doctor about called the “Shield blood test.” This new test, developed by Guardant Health, detects more than 80 percent of colon cancers early when they’re most treatable. Guardant is currently seeking FDA approval to market the test but it’s available now as a “labbased test” (which does not require FDA approval) but it’s currently not covered by most private insurers or Medicare. Your doctor will need to request this test, which costs $895, at BloodBasedScreening.com. 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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