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Advocacy Home and Community Based Long Term Services and Support News

DignityMA Comments on Real Lives Bill

Self-Determination and Self-Directed Services Download the letter on Self-Determination and Self-Directed Services (pdf) Download the Facts Sheet from MA Alliance for 21st Century Disability Policy (MA21) on Self-Directed Services (pdf) Letter to DDS June 18, 2024Department of Disability ServicesOffice of the General Counsel,1000 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118 dds.regs.comments@mass.gov.  SUBJECT: Self-Determination and Self-Directed Services Dignity Alliance Massachusetts […]

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Actions Advocacy Facilities Holyoke Soldiers' Home News

Amendment #60 to Senate Bill S.2817  An Act honoring, empowering, and recognizing our service members and veterans

Please support this amendment by contacting your Senator via the Dignity Alliance MA Take Action Page. Senator Lydia Edwards moves to amend Senate Bill 2817, by inserting after section 123, the following new section: Veterans Small Homes Plan SECTION  XX.

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Advocacy News state legislation

Priorities at End of 2023-2024 MA Legislative Session

“So Much to Do, So Little Time” Download the 2024 End of Session Legislative Priorities (pdf) or read it all below. Dignity Alliance Massachusetts has endorsed various bills during the current legislative session. As the Legislature approaches its formal conclusion on July 31, we are highlighting eighteen bills which deserve to be considered and enacted […]

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Advocacy Home and Community Based News Study Session

Bringing People Home – On Marsters for NH Advocates and Workers

May 2024 You can read more about the settlement at the Marsters Overview post. Attorneys (Steven Schwartz and Kathy Walker from the Center for Public Representation) for the plaintiffs have prepared a webinar presentation, Bringing People Home – Understanding the Settlement Agreement in Marsters v. Healey. The presentation targets individuals who have regular communication with […]

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Advocacy Home and Community Based Long Term Services and Support Overview

Independent Assessment Entity (IAE)

Update: An RFI has been posted by MassHealth (RFI info below). The deadline to Reply to the RFI is July 9. View a presentation of the issues with the state’s pursuit of an IAE (pdf) written by Jenny Kaplan and Meg Coffin. Overview Recently the Executive Office of Health & Human Services (EOHHS) released an […]

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Advocacy News

Letter to the General Services Administration

On February 28, DignityMA presented this year’s OutStanding Federal Legislator Award to Elizabeth Warren. Her State Director, Janice Rotenberg, accepted the award. While the meeting itself went well, the John F. Kennedy Federal Building presented major accessibility challenges. Below is our letter to the General Services Administration(pdf). April 17, 2024To: Francis A. Thomas (fran.thomas@gsa.gov), Regional […]

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Advocacy Facilities Home and Community Based Long Term Services and Support News Overview

Marsters Lawsuit

Final order approving a landmark cross-disability Settlement Agreement in Marsters v. Healey. June 18, 2024 – Following the fairness hearing on June 17, 2024, at the United States District Court in Boston, Judge Nathaniel Gorton entered a final order approving a landmark cross-disability Settlement Agreement in Marsters v. Healey. Marsters Lawsuit Settlement Agreement Reached April […]

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Advocacy Facilities Home and Community Based Housing News Testimony

DignityMA TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF H. 4138 – The Affordable Homes Act

Joint Legislative Committee on Bonding, Capital Debt and State AssetsApril 2, 2024 Download (docx) Testimony in Support of H. 4138 – The Affordable Homes Act Dignity Alliance Massachusetts applauds the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their leadership in addressing the issue of housing as proposed in House Bill No. 4138 – the Affordable Homes Act.  The legislation […]

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Advocacy Facilities Home and Community Based Housing Long Term Services and Support News Overview

Benjamin Healthcare Center Saga

The news below, on Benjamin Healthcare Center’s announced closing, is listed most recent first. DignityMA Offers Help to Attorney Feaster Below are excerpts from an April 5 email sent to Attorney Feaster as he begins to navigate the conditions and options at Benjamin Health Care Center. Best case is for the Center to remain open, […]

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Advocacy Facilities Long Term Services and Support News

DignityMA meets with DPH and EOHHS

On February 2, several DignityMA members met with Secretary Kate Walsh of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and Dr. Robert Goldstein, Commissioner of the Department of Public Health. DignityMA presented their thoughts and recommendations regarding various issues affecting the delivery of long-term services and care in the Commonwealth especially those involving nursing […]