February 25, 2025
Legislators and aids, advocates and DignityMA members attended an overview of the Dignity Dozen + 1 bills. The education on the bills was to encourage legislators to sign onto the bills.
The latest news and information on the bills is on our Advocacy -> State Legislative Endorsements page.
Download the list of DignityMA Dozen+1 endorsed bills for 2025 (pdf).
Channel 22 – WWLP reported on this event.
The Dignity Dozen Plus One
- RAISE THE PNA – IT’S TIME: An Act increasing the personal needs allowance for long term care residents
- STOP INAPPROPRIATE USE OF ANTI-PSYCHOTICS: An Act relative to the administration of anti-psychotic or other psychotropic substances to nursing home residents
- NURSING HOME MEDICAL DIRECTORS NEED TO BE QUALIFIED: An Act requiring the certification of medical directors in skilled nursing facilities
- INVESTING PUBLIC FUNDS IN PRIVATE EQUITY IS A POOR INVESTMENT ON QUALITY CARE: An Act relative to investments by entities of the Commonwealth
- EXTREME HEAT IS BAD FOR HEALTH: An Act providing for energy assistance during the summer months
- AFFORDABILITY TO AGE IN PLACE: An Act improving older adult tax relief to address the rising cost of home ownership
- AN EFFECTIVE VOICE FOR OLDER ADULTS: An Act to establish the Office of Older Adult Advocate
- TRANSFORMATIVE NURSING HOME REFORM: An Act to improve transparency and accountability for residents of long-term care
- CAREGIVING AND FACILITIES FOR THE 21st CENTURY: An Act to Strengthen the Long-Term Care workforce and capital trust fund
- THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME: An Act improving continuity of care for Mass Health members with chronic conditions
- PROMOTING DIGNITY AND SAFETY: An Act promoting infection prevention and privacy for residents of nursing homes
- THE BUCK STOPS HERE FOR POOR CARE: An Act clarifying responsibility for policy and budgetary decision-making in nursing homes
- NURSING HOME RESIDENT RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS: An Act protecting the rights of older adults and people with disabilities
Other legislative issues from DignityMA members
- Margaret Morganroth Gullette spoke about important themes from her book titled American Eldercide
- Barbara L’Italien, Executive Director of the Disability Law Center, described DLC’s priorities. Chris Hoeh and Rick Glassman detailed the importance of the wheelchair repair bill. And Chris finished with advocacy for PCA’s and PCA services.
- John Ford talked about the importance of guardianships, especially for people without close family support.
- Julia Garvey from the MA Coalition for the Homeless described the challenges facing the homeless in Massachusetts.
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