Why Budget Priorities Now Amplify System Fragility February 2, 2026: Commentary about the proposed FY 2027 Massachusetts State Budget (H.2) Massachusetts enters this moment with almost no margin for error. The Governor’s FY27 budget reflects a defensive posture: approximately $22.5 billion for MassHealth and another $10.8 billion for Health and Human Services, yet provider reimbursement […]
Category: Advocacy
New Nursing Home Disclosure Requirements per Chapter 343 of the Acts of 2024 (pdf) January 2026 MassHealth’s new Disclosure Form for nursing homes is a comprehensive reporting document designed to increase transparency regarding the ownership, management, and financial structure of long-term care facilities. Based on regulatory updates and industry guidance from the Massachusetts Senior Care […]
Introduction As we celebrate the 250th year of our national independence, older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers in Massachusetts face a moment of profound contradiction. We honor the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, yet too many residents, especially those aging alone or living with disabilities, find these ideals slipping further […]
Submitted by James Lamastro This report examined and assessed efforts through community stakeholders and other sources to determine how better pantries fulfill their mission and the extent to which they serve the needs of older and disabled people with issues related to food security. The purpose was to examine different ways to address these unmet […]
November 20, 2025Presenters: Attorney Stephen Schwartz and Kathy Walker, Center for Public Representation Stephen Schwartz and Kathy Walker are the lead counsel for the plaintiffs. Stephen reviewed the progress since the case was settled in June 2024. Marsters v. Healey is a lawsuit filed by seven individuals with disabilities living in nursing facilities and […]
October 14, 2025 Twenty Dignity Alliance Massachusetts individual and organizational participants, including those named below, endorse the following statement: To promote the quality of support provided by airport employees and their retention, we urge Massport to require all lessees, permittees, contractors, and subcontractors operating at Boston Logan International Airport to comply with the following requirements: […]
Editor’s note: This statement is the personal expression of the author. It does not necessarily reflect the position of Dignity Alliance Massachusetts or any other DignityMA participant. DignityMA is a non-partisan organization and welcomes statements from all parties who support older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers. About the Author: Richard T. Moore of Uxbridge […]
From Boston Center for Independent Living: On July 23, over 1,400 people—we did a count—rallied at City Hall Plaza in Boston and then marched en masse down Tremont Street to The Embrace on Boston to mark the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. As promised, attendees spoke out loud and clear for civil […]
Globe Reports on Assisted Living Residences Commission July 23, 2025: Boston Globe: Fall River fire prompts reconsideration of how Mass. regulates assisted living by Jason Laughlin and Kay Lazar. “The blaze at Gabriel House, which killed 10 people and sent around 30 to hospitals, is prompting a state commission to address questions raised by the […]
The Dignity Alliance MA Legislative Group has prepared testimony for the June 24 Joint Committee on Aging and Independence Hearing. You need to sign up for Online or Oral Testimony by June 23 at 11:55 p.m. DignityMA Testimony: