From: Debby Blumer, State Representative
Subject: News and Notes
Date: November 1, 2002
Hi,
Topics for this issue:
General Election: hours, locations, information.
The Economy
Children’s issues
Health care: HMO regulations
Framingham changes:
MassBay Community College
South Middlesex Correctional Facility.
ELECTIONS:
The General Election is on Nov. 5th. If you would like to read more about the gubernatorial candidates, take a look at interviews with the candidates:
http://www.massinc.org/about/cw_govinterviews/
Polls open at 7AM and close at 8PM. If you do not know where you vote, please call the Town Clerk at 508-620-4863. If you need a ride to the polls, please contact me.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Slow Growth for Next Six months: Massachusetts’ economy contracted in September, and will likely only grow by 0.5 percent through March 2003, according to Massachusetts Benchmarks, the University of Massachusetts economics journal. Massachusetts has suffered its seventh consecutive quarterly decline. The U.S. economy, on the other hand, grew 1.3 percent in the second quarter and is expected to exhibit strong growth in the third quarter. This is the second consecutive quarterly rise for the U.S. economy. Massachusetts Benchmarks blamed the state’s weak economy on its dependency on high-tech industries.
MetroWest Economic Development Taskforce
This dismal economic news makes MetroWest Momentum’s Economic Development Task Force meeting more timely. Let’s tackle these issues together on Thursday, November 7th from 8AM to 9:30AM at the Verizon Customer Support Center, 350 Cochituate Road, Route 30. The Topic: Economic Development in the Commonwealth, What does it mean to the MetroWest/495 Region? To RSVP, please email [EMAIL PROTECTED].
HEALTH CARE: HMOs
The Division of Insurance held a hearing today to review regulations governing managed care plans. Proposed regulations include:
1) Allowing deductibles of $2000 (only preventive care being exempted).
2) Allowing co-insurance of unlimited percentage for non-core benefits including prescription drugs, durable medical benefits and non-mandated mental health benefits.
3) Allowing co-pays of $1000 for each hospital admission.
The Division of Insurance will accept comments until Nov. 8th. The DOI gave very little notice of the hearing and I plan on writing to request further time for consideration of such significant proposed changes. After I review the regulations, I may take further steps. Feel free to send your own testimony. To send testimony, please write to: DOI, One South Station, Boston, 02110.
TURNPIKE – Noise and light pollution.
The Conservation Commission approved the Turnpike’s proposed plan for the fence around the Framingham service area. The project should be put out to bid in the next couple of weeks. Construction will begin this spring.
The Turnpike finally completed their study of Framingham areas bordering the Pike! I am waiting for a copy. Karen and I are both working to set up a meeting where the Turnpike can present the results of the noise study and neighbors can offer input.
CHILDREN’S ISSUES:
Early Education for All
On October 23rd, the Early Education for All coalition kicked off their campaign to ensure universal access to high quality early childhood education at the State House. They aim to phase in universal access over a period of years, building on the present mixed system of private, non-profit and state facilities. Early Education for All will file legislation on Dec. 4th. Questions remain as to the cost, and the coalition has acknowledged that program may have to wait until state revenues rebound. If you would like to learn more about it, check out their website: http://www.strategiesforchildren.org/eea/eea_home.htm
HATS OFF!
MassBay Community College:
On October 29th, the Framingham campus of MassBay Community College celebrated its reorganization into the Health and Human Services Institute. In addition to nursing, education and other certificate programs, Framingham is now home to the Language and Literacy Center (LLC). The LLC addresses workplace literacy as well as the needs of the MetroWest ESL community. The HHS Institute celebrated its opening on the 29th of October. For more info, http://www.mbcc.mass.edu/excellence/hhsi.asp
OFFICE HOURS
Come on by to the Callahan Senior Center and meet with me at my monthly drop-in hours on November 14th at 9AM. As always, if you are ever in the State House, stop by Room 134 to chat.
I hope to talk with you soon. Feel free to call me at anytime at (617) 722-2400 or (508) 879-0658.
Debby
