Legislative Update: Week of February 24, 2020

Feb 24, 2020

LAST WEEK

On Friday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a report that outlined strategic recommendations to improve patient care by maximizing the promise of electronic health records (EHRs) and improving the usability and interoperability of health IT. The report aims to put patients at the center of care and reduce clinician burden.

THIS WEEK

Transportation advocacy groups in Massachusetts are planning another “call to action” campaign on Tuesday, following a similar event last October, to urge legislators to take a bold stance on transportation reform. Currently, the House of Representatives is planning to address the transportation issue before the fiscal year 2021 budget in April. On Tuesday, the House Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets will hold a hearing on the Governor’s $18 billion transportation bond bill, House Bill 4397, filed last summer.

Also this week, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Ways and Means will hold a public hearing on Monday for the economic development, housing, and labor aspects of the Governor’s fiscal year 2021 budget. Additionally, early voting for the March 3 presidential primary takes place this week. And on Friday, MassBio hosts its annual Rare Disease Day to recognize the research being done in the state to treat and cure rare diseases. Rare Disease Day 2020 falls on Saturday, February 29.

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