Dear friends,
I am writing to you today with public health and Cambridge updates.
From my office to all of you, happy Valentine's Day!
Table of Contents
Public Health Updates
A Glimpse at the Past Week
Cambridge Updates
Recent Press
Services and Resources
I also want to take a moment to thank Kerwin Amo, on his last day in the House of Representatives, for his incredible service to the people of my district and for supporting my policy work. The Team Decker alumni network continues to grow, and they are taking on new and exciting challenges.
I am so excited to continue following Kerwin's journey and can't wait to watch him soar. Thank you, Kerwin!
Public Health Updates
Massachusetts Experiences Atypical Second Surge of the Flu
This winter, Massachusetts is experiencing an unusual second peak in influenza-like illnesses. The first peak occurred in early January, a trend experienced nationwide. Cases of other respiratory diseases, including COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), have tapered since, but flu cases are rising again. Wastewater surveillance also shows that cases of norovirus are also starting to decline. Over 10% of doctor visits now relate to flu symptoms, which is higher than pre-pandemic levels. This is likely due to a phenomenon known as viral interference, which occurs when one virus crowds out others as a result of virus-to-virus interactions within the body. Some public health experts suggest that the relatively warm weather the state experienced this January may have delayed flu transmission. The spike also coincides with declining flu vaccination rates; only 38% of Massachusetts residents received their flu vaccination this season, while over 45% received the flu vaccine in 2021.
Massachusetts Joins 21 States to Protect NIH Research Fundings for Biomedical Research
On Monday, Judge Angel Kelley of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a temporary restraining order in response to a lawsuit filed by associations representing medical, pharmacy, and public health schools, along with hospitals in Boston and New York. The suit isn’t the first targeting the Trump administration’s funding limitation on biomedical research; early this week, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, along with 21 other states, filed a lawsuit to block the Trump Administration's attempt to reduce the federal funding. The funding cap limited reimbursement rates from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to 15 percent for indirect costs, which cover overhead expenses such as electricity, maintenance staff, and lab spaces. A reduction in these funds could severely impact the financial stability of hospitals and universities that are crucial to the Massachusetts economy. The Commonwealth received about $3.5 million last year to support research on various topics such as Alzheimer’s disease, addiction, vaccine development, etc.
Trump's Foreign Aid Freeze Could Cause HIV Infections to Rise
On Monday, the head of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), Winnie Byanyima, warned that if the U.S. funding for global HIV programs is cut, new infections could surge by more than six times by 2029, potentially leading to millions of deaths and possibly increasing drug-resistant strains. In a recent interview, Byanyima highlighted the progress made in reducing new infections but emphasized that the U.S. freeze on foreign aid has caused fear and disruption in countries hardest hit by HIV, particularly in Africa. The loss of funding could leave countries like Uganda and Tanzania without vital resources, as these programs rely heavily on American support. Last year, the U.S. gave more than $6.5 billion in humanitarian assistance to the sub-Saharan region.
Number of First-Year Black Medical Students is Declining in Massachusetts
According to data released by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), there has been a decline in first-year Black medical students in Massachusetts, reaching the lowest level since 2018. Specifically, data shows a 3% drop in first-year Black medical students' enrollment in Massachusetts programs in 2024. Additionally, only 44 new Black medical students graduated last year, representing 6% of the state’s new cohort of medical students. Nationwide, Black doctors make up only 5% of the U.S. medical force, despite Black Americans comprising 14% of the entire U.S. population. Patients often prefer to have doctors who represent them, as it helps create an environment where they feel more comfortable expressing their health concerns. However, data indicates a decline in Black medical school student enrollment, particularly after the Supreme Court decision targeting affirmative care action within higher education. This decision has contributed to a reduction in diversity among medical students, potentially impacting patient care and the representation of minority communities in the healthcare field.
Study Finds Warming Temperatures Linked to Rise in Rat Population Among Major Cities, Including Boston
The rat population in Boston and other major U.S. cities has increased significantly in recent years, mainly attributed to warmer temperatures, urbanization, and higher population density. Rat infestations pose public health risks that go beyond disease transmission. They can also cause damage to infrastructure and lead to substantial economic losses due to their infiltration of buildings. Additionally, rats can negatively impact the ecology of other species in urban areas and threaten biodiversity in regions where they are considered invasive. Researchers who analyzed public sightings and infestation reports conducted a study that quantified the relative increases in these reports over time. Published in the journal Science, the study found that cities experiencing greater temperature increases, denser human populations, and more urbanization saw a more significant rise in rat populations. Between 2011 and 2021, the rat population in Boston increased by 53%. U.S. Census data from that same period indicated that the human population grew by only 9%, which leads to more food waste—a primary factor driving rat activity.
A Glimpse at the Past Week
On Monday evening, I spoke at the virtual kickoff for a bill I filed with the Keep Families Connected coalition, An Act to build restorative family and community connections. I have been filing this legislation for the last three sessions and filed it as an amendment to the FY25 budget last year. It would protect access to daily visits, forbid discriminatory restrictions on visitors, and implement a dress code that is respectful of culture and religion.
I am grateful for the partnership of the Coalition — which includes Prisoners’ Legal Services — over the last several sessions and look forward to working with them once again this session. Stay tuned for an email in the next few weeks highlighting this bill and the other legislation I filed related to justice-involved individuals.
On Tuesday, I met with Will Borden, the founder and President of Bionic Project Inc., and Dana Ross Rogers, its executive director. Will, an amputee with a passion for running, started Bionic Project along with the Bionic5K in Harvard Square in 2018 after he identified that many athletic events were not inclusive of people with disabilities.
Will and Dana have been educators for the majority of their careers and, in 2023, added an education program to the Bionic Project to aid in disability education in K-12 schools. Their curriculum is tailored to each school they visit and includes an assembly, classroom workshops, and adaptive sports clinics taught by adaptive athletes, educators, and coaches with disabilities to provide students with knowledge and experience for a more inclusive future.
I am excited for the annual Bionic5K that will take place at 41 Church Street on April 27. It is open to all and will also include an inclusive rowing race. It is always a joy to uplift organizations that are committed to the betterment of our community. Will and Dana had also never been to the State House prior to their meeting, and it was great to get to show them around the building!
I had the pleasure of also attending the Head Start Lobby Day on Tuesday. As an alum of Head Start, I experienced firsthand how critical high-quality education and care are in the first five years of life, and I will always be grateful for the support my family and I received through the program. For those who may not be familiar with Head Start and Early Head Start, they are federal programs administered by local area agencies that provide quality early education services g for children ages 0-5 years from low-income families.
Thank you to Speaker Ron Mariano, Chair Aaron Michlewitz, and my colleagues for your ongoing support of Head Start and the families that it serves. Thank you to Head Start for all the work that you do to ensure every child in the Commonwealth can thrive academically and socially. I know that without Head Start I would not be where I am today. All families deserve access to excellent early education and care; Head Start is an essential investment in families who face barriers to access.
I met with students from the Massachusetts Youth Climate Coalition (MYCC)’s Youth Climate Advocacy Day on Tuesday afternoon. These young people were extremely passionate about one of the greatest issues facing their generation — the climate crisis — and I shared with them some of the work the Legislature did last session and bills I am working on to address environmental issues. I was so impressed by their passion and depth of knowledge; I also told them about how I got my start in the State House speaking with legislators when I was around their age.
As leaving the Paris Climate Agreement was a day-one action by the Trump Administration, it will be important that the Legislature takes steps to address rollbacks from the federal government like this. It is devastating that the next generation will be inheriting a world that is wrought with climate change-induced natural disasters, and in our current political climate, worry about the implications for climate refugees. Passing legislation to address climate change has always been a priority for me, and I continue to lead efforts to ensure a livable planet for generations to come.
On Wednesday, my staff attended the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) Know Your Rights presentation and Policy Briefing. MIRA provides a variety of Know Your Rights resources, from hosting trainings, providing powerpoints, video recording of trainings and materials in multiple languages, and an immigration helpline. MIRA also provides red cards created by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC). These cards are a free printable resource available in several languages for people to assert their rights in situations with law enforcement to help minimize the anxiety the interactions may cause.
As the federal government continues to push an anti-immigrant agenda through efforts to end Birthright Citizenship, increased ICE raids and presence throughout the nation, suspension of federal spending, and disregarding the status of asylum seekers, it is important to know that regardless of your immigration status, you have legal rights. Thank you to MIRA for providing all of these in-depth resources on immigration.
Here is a list of other organizations that provide immigration resources:
De Novo: Know Your Rights cards and free legal assistance to low-income immigrants and asylum seekers.
ACLU MA: Know Your Rights resources.
On Thursday, my staff attended the Disability Policy Consortium (DPC)’s legislative briefing. DPC shared their legislative priorities for this session, and among them is An Act to create affordable homes for persons with disabilities, which I filed alongside Representative Rob Consalvo. The bill updates language and the verification process for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP), which is designed to help people with disabilities live independently, allows regional housing authorities to issue vouchers, increases eligibility from 60 to 62, creates a payment standard, and allows unspent funds to remain with the AHVP. Last session, parts of this bill were incorporated into the Affordable Homes Act and allowed for vouchers to either be in the form of mobile vouchers or project-based vouchers.
With the federal government's efforts to minimize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), it will be important for the Legislature to continue to pass legislation that centers and protects people with disabilities. Throughout my tenure in the Legislature, I have advocated and crafted disability policies and will continue to do so. Thank you to my colleagues for sharing all of the incredible work you are all leading in disability policy, and thank you to Harry Weissman, Executive Director of DPC, and R Feynman, its Director of Advocacy, for hosting this event.
Cambridge Updates
Throughout February, the City of Cambridge will host a series of events celebrating Black History Month. The events will touch upon Black heritage, culture, film, poetry, music, theater, and food:
Saturday Screening: Black Panther 2 on February 15, 1 – 3 p.m. in the Lecture Hall at the Cambridge Main Public Library.
Live at the Library: Ethiopian Dance Performance and Demonstration on February 18, from 6-6:45 p.m. at the Cambridge Public Library - O’Neill Branch.
Movie Night: Hidden Figures on February 18, 5:30-7:40 p.m. in the Cambridge Public Library - Valente Branch.
The Secrets of Phillis Wheatley – Multimedia Theatrical Monologue on February 19 from 12-2 p.m. in the Sullivan Chamber at the Cambridge City Hall.
Central Square Book Group - Kindred by Octavia Butler on February 19 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Cambridge Public Library – Central Square Branch.
Cambridge Cooks with Yego Coffee on February 20 from 6-7 p.m. in the Community Room at the Cambridge Main Public Library.
Homecoming: Celebrating the Black Voices Collection on February 20, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Cambridge Public Library Central Square Branch.
Central Square Cooks Book Group- Cooking from Jubilee by Toni Tipton-Martin on February 27 from 6 – 7 p.m. at the Cambridge Public Library.
Recent Press
Abby Patkin, Boston.com
A bill from Rep. Marjorie Decker would establish the “Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Program,” a pilot to explore the research and development of psilocybin services for adults with conditions like PTSD, depression, and end-of-life distress.
“My father suffered from PTSD after being drafted during the Vietnam War and serving two tours, and this is an area I care deeply about,” Decker said in a statement. “I have had many conversations about the potential of this pilot with constituents and advocates.”
The bill is awaiting referral to a committee for review, a process that can take anywhere from several weeks to a few months, Decker explained. She said she was particularly drawn to the issue after Massachusetts General Hospital launched a new Center for Neuroscience of Psychedelics to better understand how psychedelics could be used to improve treatment options for mental illnesses.
“Expanding psilocybin research and access plays an important role in advancing public health, especially in light of the increasing rates of mental health conditions,” Decker said. “It is important for the Legislature to gain a deeper understanding of this area to expand research in this field and pave the way for meaningful change for those affected by these conditions.”
Cambridge Public Health Helpline Supports Residents with COVID-19
To speak with someone, call the confidential COVID-19 Hotline at 617-933-0797. Learn more here.
Intimate Partner Abuse Prevention Helpline
This initiative is designed to prevent intimate partner violence by fostering accountability and change in people who harm or may harm their partner. You can find more information at 10to10helpline.org or by calling 877-898-3411.
SafeSpot Overdose Prevention Helpline
SafeSpot is a virtual spotting/overdose detection service for people who use drugs. Learn more at safe-spot.me or access it by calling 800-972-0590.
De Novo Center for Justice and Healing
De Novo is a Cambridge-based nonprofit that provides free civil legal assistance and affordable psychological counseling to people with low incomes. You can learn more about their services at denovo.org.
MassLegalHelp.org is a resource to help Massachusetts residents learn about their legal rights. The website does not offer legal advice or answer individual questions but has a page about options for finding a lawyer. It does provide resources for those facing legal issues, such as a landlord refusing to make repairs, appealing the denial of SNAP benefits, and questions about getting a CORI sealed.
As always, please contact me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie