Page 20 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2022 BEACON | FROM Page 18 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 patients 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 suffering 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 SKATING CENTER www.Roller-World.com 781-231-1111 HELP WANTED Earn $16. Per Hour Skate Guards • Snack Bar Must be 17 years or older - Hours Can Be Arranged Open 7 Days Per Week Call Jerry at 617-620-9201 Located at 425R Broadway (Route 1 South), Saugus MBTA Bus Route 429 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 receive mild charges for leaving the scene of the accident.” SCHOOL CUSTODIAN DAY (S 2126) – The Senate approved and sent to the House a bill declaring October 2nd as the School Custodian Day, in recognition of “the dedicated contributions provided by school custodians to ensure children of the commonwealth have clean, healthy and safe learning environments.” The governor would also recommend that the day be observed in an appropriate manner by the people. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, the commonwealth’s school custodians have continued to diligently care for our facilities and students,” said sponsor Sen. Walter Timilty (D-Milton). “We must take action here in Massachusetts to ensure our school custodial workers know we appreciate their hard work and dedication. I am happy to see this bill move out of the Senate and over to the House for action.” QUOTABLE QUOTES — The Baker administration announced grants totaling more than $4.1 million to help Massachusetts nonprofi t, faith-based organizations to improve physical security and protect against terroristic and hate-fueled attacks. The announcement was made at the 4th Annual Faith-Based Organizations Safety and Security Seminar hosted by the Commonwealth Fusion Center and attended by more than 150 federal, state, local and nonprofi t partners at the Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center. Here are some of the quotes on the grant: “Protecting our commonwealth means protecting the organizations that are the pillars of our communities. We are committed to ensuring that these nonprofi ts and houses of worship are protected and that everyone can feel safe when they gather and worship.” ---Gov. Charlie Baker “Faith-based organizations provide important opportunities for people to worship, gather and connect with their faith and their community. Protecting these institutions from threats ensures that residents of every creed have a safe, dedicated space to engage in the life of their community.” ---Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito “These grants ensure that nonprofi t institutions where community members gather have the resources that they need to improve security. Ensuring the right to gather safely and to practice faith without fear is fundamental to our public safety goals.” ---Secretary of Public Safety and Security Terrence Reidy “Gathering places such as houses of worship have unique security needs. The grants awarded through this program will help the recipients increase the security of their facilities while continuing to provide the open and welcoming gathering places their communities rely on.” --- Offi ce of Grants and Research Executive Director Kevin Stanton 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 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 October 31-November 4, the House met for a total of four hours and 41 minutes and the Senate met for a total of fi ve hours and 55 minutes. Mon. Oct. 31 House 11:05 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. Senate 11:09 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Tues. Nov. 1 No House session No Senate session Wed. Nov. 2 No House session No Senate session Thurs. Nov. 3 House 11:04 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Senate 11:08 a.m. to 4:27 p.m. Fri. Nov. 4 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. Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma
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