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Daily Update 9/17: Massachusetts - Model for Health Care Reform

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Thursday, September 17, 2009

 

Today: Thursday, September 17, 2009

 

  • Today, the Joint Committee on Education holds a hearing on Governor Patrick’s bills to raise the cap on charter schools and to turn around underperforming schools.

 

In the Press:

 

  • “Massachusetts is a Health-Reform Model” – Governor Patrick makes the case for national health care reform and says Massachusetts can serve as a model in an op-ed published in today’s Wall Street Journal. In the piece, the Governor reinforces the dire status quo of the American health care system, and explains how the Massachusetts plan – and President Obama’s proposals – will curb spiraling costs, increase quality and access to care, and save lives. “At the national level, nothing will happen if we fear change. But innovation can work for everyone if we give President Barack Obama and congressional leaders a chance to do what we have done in Massachusetts.” Read the full op-ed here.

 

  • “The Next Chapter on Education Reform” – Today, Governor Patrick lays out his vision for the next chapter of education reform on the Boston Globe editorial pages. Pointing to his proposals to double the spending cap on charter schools and more quickly and effectively turnaround underperforming schools, the Governor says now is the time to act to give all students access to a world-class education. “But let’s be clear: We are talking about what is best for our children. Morally and pragmatically, emotionally and logically, we know that it is a sin to cheat an innocent child of an opportunity simply because we were too timid to act. Now is the time to deliver and let the promise of tomorrow’s leaders flourish.” Read the Governor’s op-ed here.

 

  • Continued MCAS Improvement – State education officials released strong 2009 school and district MCAS results at Brockton High School on Wednesday. In addition to the MCAS results, Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester announced that 54 percent of the state's schools have been identified for improvement because federal accountability standards have increased. Many of the schools marked for improvement made measurable improvement. "I take every school's accountability status seriously, but I also recognize that many of the schools across the Commonwealth that have been identified are making tremendous academic gains," Chester said. "While the teachers and students in these schools need to recognize that there is still more work to do, they should be extremely proud of their accomplishments."  A story in today’s Boston Globe examines whether national benchmarks are too high. Read the story here and the press release here.

 

  • Watch Education Secretary Reville discuss the results here.

 

  • H1N1 Action Plan Continues – Since the outbreak of H1N1 in April, members of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s Department of Public Health (DPH) have been working tirelessly with health care providers and facilities, local public health officials, schools, municipalities, public safety authorities and experts in the federal government and other states to ensure that Massachusetts is prepared to respond to the resurgence in H1N1 cases as cooler weather arrives and children return to school. The Department's response plan includes public outreach and education on flu prevention techniques and the H1N1 vaccine. Meanwhile, a bill currently moving through the Legislature would better clarify the state's emergency powers during times of extreme health crises -- such as a quick-spreading, lethal germ or a bioterror attack. H1N1 does not fall into these categories.

 

  • Commitment to State Parks – On Wednesday, Chicopee city officials highlighted Governor Patrick’s signature urban parks initiative during a tour of Szot Park Stadium – the recent recipient of a $75,000 Gateway City Parks grant to fund completion of planning and design for park rehabilitation.  The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs grant will enable the city to make Szot Park Stadium – which hosts events ranging from soccer and football games to concerts – a state-of-the-art “green” facility with features such as energy efficient lighting and a water runoff recycling system.  Szot Park Stadium is among several parks around the state benefitting from the Gateway City Parks program, which funds projects to improve parks, recreation facilities and other outdoor green spaces within urban communities.  Recognizing that public parks are essential to the health and economic wellbeing of urban areas, the program is a key aspect of Governor Patrick’s unprecedented commitment of state support for urban parks, habitat protection and preservation of working landscapes. Read more here.

 

  • September is Massachusetts Regionalization Month – On September 3rd, Lieutenant Governor Murray kicked off Massachusetts Regionalization Month, where he highlighted regionalizing local services at a conference at the College of the Holy Cross. Read more in CommonWealth Unbound here.

 

   This Week:

  • On Saturday, Governor Patrick attended the funeral for Specialist Jordan Shay at St. Joseph's Parish Church in Amesbury.